2026/01/26Economist: Khamenei Target Could Tip the Regime—But Succession May Be Ready
The Economist, reviewing scenarios around potential U.S. military action against Iran, argued that striking at Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei could be a regime-ending blow—but noted counterviews from regional officials who believe Tehran has strengthened its succession procedures after the “12-day war,” allowing a replacement to step in quickly. The debate underscores the central uncertainty in “decapitation” scenarios: whether removing a single figure would trigger rapid collapse, or instead prompt a fast, security-state managed transition.
2026/01/264,000+ Doctors Condemn Crackdown, Demand End to Pressure on Medical Staff
Amid the nationwide protest crackdown, reports say Iranian authorities have detained and threatened doctors and nurses for treating injured demonstrators. In response, more than 4,000 doctors have signed a statement condemning the arrests and intimidation, calling for an immediate end to pressure on healthcare workers and for medical personnel to be able to provide care without fear of retaliation.
2026/01/26260 Sign Letter Backing Prince Reza Pahlavi as a Unifying Opposition Leader
Prince Reza Pahlavi’s office said on X that 260 activists and experts have signed a letter urging recognition of Prince Reza Pahlavi as the “legitimate representative” and a “unifying leader” of Iran’s democratic opposition. According to the post, the signatories also called for ending engagement with the Islamic Republic and outlined additional demands in the same letter.
2026/01/26“Sepehr, Where Are You?”: Ex-Iran Boxer Amplifies a Viral Scene of Grief
Ehsan Roozbehani, a former member of Iran’s national boxing team, wrote in an Instagram story: “For 12 minutes Sepehr’s father was looking for his son’s body—after those 12 minutes, I became a corpse.” His post referred to a widely shared, distressing video said to be filmed at Tehran’s Kahrizak forensic facility, where a father can be heard searching among bodies for his slain son, Sepehr. The line “Sepehr, dad—where are you?” has since become one of the most haunting phrases circulating in coverage of Iran’s protest crackdown.
2026/01/26U.S. Strike Talk Builds as Pressure Mounts on Europe Over IRGC
Speculation is intensifying in political and media circles over the possibility of a U.S. military move against the Islamic Republic, as calls on European governments continue to grow to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization and expand support for Iranian protesters.
2026/01/26Iranian Boxing Champion Held Incommunicado for 10 Days
Iranian boxer Mohammad Mahshari—described as an Asian champion—was arrested about 10 days ago and his family says they have received no information about his whereabouts or condition. Reports say security agents detained him at his home on 28 Dey and transferred him to a detention facility in Tabriz . Mahshari is considered one of Iran’s boxing prospects, with a bronze medal at the 2024 Asian Youth and U23 Championships on his record.
2026/01/26Dezful Witness: “A Burial Every 15 Minutes” Under Heavy Security Pressure
A resident of Dezful told Iran International that during the city’s protests, the number of killed, wounded, and detainees was so high that—under intense security pressure—families were forced to bury one “Javidnam” roughly every 15 minutes . The source said security forces quickly dispersed gatherings using force and violence, and that burials were carried out at night under security presence , with only around 10 family members allowed to attend. Another resident said security forces fired live ammunition at people , killing dozens, adding that for days the Ganjovian Hospital morgue was filled with bodies and many families struggled to go identify loved ones.
2026/01/26Tehran Seminary Chief Cites Clerical Death Toll in December Protests
Mohammad Hadi Rahimi-Sadegh, head of Tehran Province’s seminaries, said six clerics were killed during the December protests , adding that one of the six was from Tehran . He also claimed that during the earlier “12-day war,” 16 clerics died , including six from Tehran —figures that insert a clerical-casualty narrative into the authorities’ broader framing of the unrest and its aftermath.
2026/01/26Teen Wrestler Faces Execution Sentence After Arrest, Report Says
Reports say Saleh Mohammadi , a 19-year-old Iranian freestyle wrestler and 2024 bronze medalist at Russia’s Sytiyov International Cup , was arrested by security forces on 25 Dey 1404 and has since received a death sentence . The case has triggered public alarm inside Iran’s sports community, with athletes reportedly voicing concern online, and it adds to a widening pattern of detentions and heavy judicial pressure targeting athletes during the ongoing crackdown.
2026/01/26Asian Boxing Medalist Detained, Family Kept in the Dark
Reports say Mohammad Mahshari —an Iranian boxer who won bronze at the 2024 Asian Youth & U23 (Omid) championships —was arrested at his home on 28 Dey 1404 and transferred to a detention facility in Tabriz , while his family says they have no information about his condition or whereabouts . The case adds to a growing pattern of reported detentions affecting athletes amid the wider crackdown.
2026/01/25Ottawa March in −25°C: Diaspora Rally Backs Iran’s Uprising and Prince Reza Pahlavi
Iranians in Ottawa held a rally and march on Sunday, 5 Bahman , gathering outside Canada’s Parliament and near City Hall to show support for Iran’s national uprising. Despite −25°C snowy weather, participants carried the Lion-and-Sun national flag and chanted slogans including “ Javid Shah ,” voicing support for Prince Reza Pahlavi and Iran’s freedom demands. The demonstration underscored continued diaspora solidarity and sustained backing for the Iranian people’s national and democratic aspirations.
2026/01/25Snowy Washington March Backs Iran’s National Uprising
Iranians in Washington, D.C., held a rally and march in support of Iran’s national uprising on Sunday, 5 Bahman . Despite cold, snowy conditions, demonstrators walked from the National World War II Memorial toward the White House , according to the report.
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