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Iran’s open-market USD price climbed to around 163,000 toman on Tuesday, with some market reports citing an intraday high near 163,240 . Price trackers also showed the dollar trading broadly in the 161,700–162,600 toman range during the day, underscoring sharp, headline-driven swings. The move came as Iran–U.S. negotiations continued in Geneva and after fresh political messaging in Tehran, keeping the currency’s risk premium elevated.
Videos received by Iran International show a group of protesters throwing tomatoes at vehicles carrying the Islamic Republic’s delegation as the cars exited the Oman Embassy in Geneva , where Iran–U.S. talks are being held. Protesters also chanted: “Death to the terrorist.”
Videos received from Sari (Mazandaran’s capital) show a heavy security presence being deployed across the city as 40th-day memorials for the “jaavidnam” victims approach. Footage and eyewitness accounts describe increased patrols, with security vehicles and motorbike units visible in multiple areas. Similar scenes were reported in Noor , where security forces and vehicles were also seen moving through the city, signaling a broader attempt to deter gatherings tied to the 40th-day commemorations. Iran International has separately reported repeated security deployments and clampdowns around key protest-linked dates in Mazandaran and other provinces in recent weeks.
Viewers of Iran International reported internet disruptions and outright outages across several Iranian cities on Tuesday, 28 Bahman , amid heightened security pressure and memorial-related mobilizations.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian referred to public protests as an “abnormality” and said those responsible should be arrested “with strength and authority,” while also emphasizing they should be detained safely and handed over to the judiciary for legal proceedings.
Former Iranian queen Farah Pahlavi posted a message praising the mass turnout of Iranians abroad in demonstrations she linked to a “ Global Day of Action ,” saying she followed the rallies “moment by moment” and expressing gratitude for what she described as over one million participants worldwide. She argued the mobilization reflects national will and solidarity , adding that with unity, Iran will soon be released from the grip of “demon-like occupiers,” according to the statement.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei described the nationwide protests as a “fitna” (sedition) and said he is “grieving” over the bloodshed in Dey . He divided those killed into three groups— security personnel , ordinary bystanders , and “misled” participants —and said all three are considered “martyrs.” Khamenei also distinguished a separate category of what he called “corrupt” and “coup-plotting” agitators, saying some of them “met their fate” and that “their matter is with God.” He claimed some who joined the protests were inexperienced, later regretted it, and even wrote letters asking for forgiveness.
Reports and videos indicate some students in Iran’s schools have continued protest chanting despite intensified pressure and monitoring, coinciding with the 40th day of those killed in the Dey 1404 protests . Footage shared with Iran International shows groups of students singing the anthem “Iran Javan” in tribute to the “jaavidnam” victims.
A sports-focused human-rights group reported that Babak Armin (36) , a boxing coach held in Dehdasht Prison (Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province), has begun a hunger strike after allegedly being severely beaten during his arrest . According to the report, he was arrested on 18 Dey 1404 (January 8, 2026) and started the hunger strike on 18 Bahman 1404 (February 7, 2026) , protesting what he described as poor detention conditions, torture, and threats to cut off phone contact . The case comes amid reports of increased security pressure on athletes since the start of the “Iranian National Revolution,” including detentions linked to alleged support for anti-government protests.
A group of Iranians gathered near the United Nations office in Geneva on Tuesday, as the second round of U.S.–Iran nuclear talks took place in the city. Photos and reports described protesters carrying Iran’s pre-1979 “Lion and Sun” flags outside the UN complex.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the indirect U.S.–Iran talks in Geneva have moved into technical detail on both the nuclear and economic (sanctions) tracks, arguing that the presence of IAEA chief Rafael Grossi reflects the focus on “fine technical points.” Baghaei said discussions are “serious” and that Tehran is prepared to remain in Geneva **for several days—or even several weeks—**to finalize an agreement. He also rejected any linkage between the Geneva track and Ukraine .
Iranian media reported that sections of the Strait of Hormuz will be closed for several hours on Tuesday as part of a drill dubbed “Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz,” aimed at ensuring navigation safety during the exercise. The move comes amid heightened regional tensions and renewed nuclear diplomacy, with Reuters noting Iran has framed the exercise as a readiness test for naval units tasked with protecting the waterway, through which around a fifth of global oil flows transits.