• العربية
  • فارسی
Brand
  • Iran Insight
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Analysis
  • Special Report
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Live TV
  • Iran Insight
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Analysis
  • Special Report
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Live TV
  • Theme
  • Language
    • العربية
    • فارسی
  • Iran Insight
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Analysis
  • Special Report
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Live TV
All rights reserved for Volant Media UK Limited
volant media logo
EXCLUSIVE

At least 1.5 million people took to Tehran streets on January 8, source says

Jan 16, 2026, 20:10 GMT+0

A European diplomat, citing intelligence shared with Iran International, said their information indicates that at least 1.5 million people took to the streets in Tehran on Thursday, 8 January.

He said the number was lower on Friday, January 9, as security forces were heavily present in the streets and, in many cases, began shooting as people started to assemble, killing people en masse.

However, the European diplomat who spoke to the channel believes as many as half a million people were present in Tehran on Friday despite the mass killing.

The number of people in other cities is unclear due to the lack of foreign diplomatic presence outside Tehran—all embassies are in the capital.

However, their intelligence estimate is that at least 5 million people participated in nationwide protests on Thursday and Friday.

At least 12,000 people were killed in the deadliest crackdown in Iran’s contemporary history, carried out largely over two consecutive nights on January 8 and 9, Iran International’s editorial board concluded, based on a review of sources and medical data.

Most Viewed

Washington’s economic war on Iran starts in Dubai, not Beijing
1
ANALYSIS

Washington’s economic war on Iran starts in Dubai, not Beijing

2
ANALYSIS

What the US-Venezuela oil model could mean for Iran’s energy future

3

Iran sanctions reach education: Duolingo blocked, TOEFL and GRE in doubt

4

Poverty pushes Iranian children into hazardous border work

5

Iran court sentences 10 protesters to death in Isfahan

Banner
Banner
Banner

Spotlight

  • What the US-Venezuela oil model could mean for Iran’s energy future
    ANALYSIS

    What the US-Venezuela oil model could mean for Iran’s energy future

  • Washington’s economic war on Iran starts in Dubai, not Beijing
    ANALYSIS

    Washington’s economic war on Iran starts in Dubai, not Beijing

  • Iran’s political prisoners are being executed. Why is supporting them controversial?
    PODCAST

    Iran’s political prisoners are being executed. Why is supporting them controversial?

  • Iran’s missing fuel: Can border smuggling explain it all?
    ANALYSIS

    Iran’s missing fuel: Can border smuggling explain it all?

  • Iran bets on China to blunt Trump’s economic offensive
    INSIGHT

    Iran bets on China to blunt Trump’s economic offensive

  • Iran or the dollar? US makes an example of Banque Misr
    ANALYSIS

    Iran or the dollar? US makes an example of Banque Misr

  • War or deal? Rezaei begins to define Iran’s price
    ANALYSIS

    War or deal? Rezaei begins to define Iran’s price