Politis

Iran Protests Subside After Bloody Crackdown

Published January 16, 2026, 14:19
Iran Protests Subside After Bloody Crackdown

Protests in Iran appear to have largely subsided following a bloody crackdown by authorities, according to testimonies from residents and human rights organizations. State media reported on Friday that new arrests were made, while repeated threats from the United States of potential intervention have softened in recent days. Fears of a US strike have subsided after President Donald Trump stated that killings in Iran appear to be decreasing. US allies, such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have undertaken intense diplomatic efforts to prevent military escalation, warning of serious consequences for the wider region. The White House stated that Tehran has been warned of “serious consequences” in the event of further bloodshed, noting that hundreds of scheduled executions have been suspended. The protests erupted on December 28 due to high inflation and a deep economic crisis caused by sanctions, evolving into one of the most serious challenges to the regime since 1979. According to Axios, the head of Mossad, David Barnea, traveled to the US for talks, while US sources reported an increase in US military capabilities in the region, in case an order to strike is given. Human rights organizations report a strong presence of the army and security forces in Tehran and other cities, despite the relative calm. The Iranian-Kurdish organization Hengaw spoke of an extremely restrictive security environment, while sporadic incidents of violence and arson are being recorded. State-run Press TV reported that order has been restored throughout the country. The death toll, according to HRANA, is 2,677, most of whom are protesters, a number that has not been independently confirmed. An Iranian official had earlier reported about 2,000 deaths. HRANA reports more than 19,000 arrests, while Tasnim agency puts the number of detainees at 3,000, including people described as armed and members of “terrorist organizations.”