2026/01/12Bishop Robert Barron: Iran Protesters’ Courage “Historic,” Hopes Regime Is Sent to the “Dustbin of History”
Catholic Bishop Robert Barron (Winona–Rochester, Minnesota) wrote on X that he wanted to “celebrate the bravery of thousands” protesting Iran’s “oppressive” regime, recalling Ayatollah Khomeini’s rise roughly 46 years ago and saying he has witnessed “steady and vicious” assaults on human dignity by a corrupt theocracy. Barron also described the Islamic Republic as a “kleptocracy” that has destabilized the Middle East by backing Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist groups, and said he hopes this government—after decades of causing suffering—will disappear into history. Barron is the founder of the global Catholic media ministry Word on Fire and serves as chair of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth.
2026/01/12Iran Rights Groups Warn of Imminent Execution for 26-Year-Old Protest Detainee in Karaj
Human rights group Hengaw says Erfan Soltani (26) , detained in Fardis, Karaj during the ongoing protests, faces an imminent execution after what it describes as a rushed, opaque process with no access to a lawyer and no clear disclosure of case details to his family. Hengaw reports the family has been told the sentence is final and that they may be allowed only a brief “last visit,” with the execution reportedly scheduled for Wednesday of this week (January 14, 2026 / 24 Dey 1404) —warning the case amounts to an extrajudicial execution and urging urgent action to prevent it.
2026/01/12Iran State TV Reports Death of Mashhad Anti-Narcotics Police Chief, Blames “Armed Rioters”
Iran’s state broadcaster reported on Sunday that the “Mashhad anti-narcotics police chief” has been killed, citing the deputy commander of law enforcement in Razavi Khorasan who said Brig. Gen. Javad Keshavarz died in what officials described as an “attack by armed rioters.” The report comes as nationwide protests enter a third week and, despite widespread internet disruptions, videos of unrest continue to surface from multiple cities. Alongside reports of protesters being shot, Iranian officials have also acknowledged deaths among state personnel, including earlier reporting that the prosecutor of Esfarayen was killed during unrest.
2026/01/12Abyek (Qazvin): Reports Claim Live Ammunition Fired Directly at Unarmed Protesters
Reports from Abyek in Qazvin province say security forces fired live ammunition directly at protesters, with the account stressing that demonstrators were not armed and were only trying to protect themselves and their families—saying that if anything was in their hands, it was stones. The same information flow credits activist Ilya Hashemi for sustained reporting over recent days, and cites sources linked to medical staff who describe the death toll in the past three days—especially on 20 Dey 1404 (January 10, 2026) —as very high and allegedly higher than during the November 2019 protests, though these casualty claims cannot be independently verified under current information constraints.
2026/01/12Tehran (Saadat Abad): Starlink-Sent Clip Claims Live Fire on Crowd Amid Internet Shutdown
A short video described as coming from Tehran’s Saadat Abad neighborhood on the night of 20 Dey 1404 (January 10, 2026) was reportedly sent out via Starlink during Iran’s internet blackout and is claimed to show government forces firing toward civilians. Separate reports attributed to sources linked to medical staff describe grim expectations about the death toll and suggest casualties may be higher than during the November 2019 protests, though these figures cannot be independently verified under current information restrictions.
2026/01/12Tehran Street Clash: “Hand-to-Hand” Resistance Reported on Gorgan Street
A video described as filmed in Tehran’s Gorgan Street on Saturday, 20 Dey 1404 (January 10, 2026) shows protesters engaging in close-range, hand-to-hand resistance against security forces during a street confrontation. The footage, circulating online amid ongoing unrest and heavy security pressure, underscores how some flashpoints in the capital are shifting from dispersed rallies to direct, high-risk clashes in neighborhood streets.
2026/01/12Googoosh at LA Rally: Calls for Backing “Prince Reza Pahlavi” and Urges Trump’s Support
Iranian singer Googoosh spoke at a gathering of Iranians in Los Angeles backing the “national revolution,” saying it is time to stand with Iranians “under the leadership of Prince Reza Pahlavi.” In remarks framed as an appeal for international support, she also urged U.S. President Donald Trump to assist the Iranian people against the Islamic Republic’s leadership, reflecting a growing trend of diaspora figures calling for stronger external pressure as protests and the crackdown continue.
2026/01/12Leila Forouhar in Los Angeles Rally: Iran’s Repression Forces Must Be Held Accountable
Iranian singer Leila Forouhar, speaking on the sidelines of an anti–Islamic Republic rally and march in Los Angeles, described Iran’s crackdown forces as “fascists” and said they must be held accountable in the future for what she called their crimes. She added that for nearly 38 years she has joined annual demonstrations in support of Iran’s freedom and victory, and she ended by voicing support for Prince Reza Pahlavi’s return to Iran.
2026/01/12Kimia Alizadeh Joins Iranian Rally Outside UK Prime Minister’s Office
Kimia Alizadeh, Iran’s first female Olympic medalist and a member of Bulgaria’s national taekwondo team, attended a gathering of Iranians outside the UK Prime Minister’s office on Sunday, 21 Dey 1404 (January 11, 2026). Her appearance was framed as a show of support for Iran’s “national revolution” and adds to a growing series of high-profile diaspora endorsements as overseas demonstrations continue.
2026/01/12Palestinian Writer Rasha Halloueh: A Regime That Kills Its Own People Can’t “Liberate” Mine
Palestinian writer Rasha Halloueh released a video reacting to Iran’s protest movement, saying: “A government that kills its own people and suppresses its women cannot liberate my people—and cannot liberate me.” She said she grew up hearing that Iran’s Islamic Republic stood with the Palestinian cause and would help free Palestinians, but now rejects that narrative and declares solidarity with Iranians protesting in the streets against the Islamic Republic. Halloueh added that Palestinians are not aligned with the Iranian regime, but with “brave” Iranians demanding dignity, freedom, and justice—the same rights Palestinians seek for themselves.
2026/01/12Mohsen Yeganeh: “Oppression Won’t Last” as Singer Condemns Crackdown and Missing Loved Ones
Iranian pop singer Mohsen Yeganeh reacted on Instagram to the crackdown tied to the ongoing “national uprising,” writing that in recent days “hundreds” of compatriots have been killed by repression forces and that many families are still living with the uncertainty of not knowing what happened to their loved ones. He added that oppression has never endured in history and “won’t remain” in Iran either, warning that every life lost only deepens public resentment toward those responsible.
2026/01/12Jafar Panahi Dedicates NYFCC Directing Prize to Iran’s Street Protesters
Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi dedicated his latest award to Iran’s protesters, saying he was “especially happy” to receive it now so he could offer it to “the people of my country” who are “fighting in the streets.” Panahi received Best Director for It Was Just an Accident at the 91st New York Film Critics Circle Awards , delivered in remarks translated on stage during the ceremony.
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