Iran Recap: Widespread Clashes And Street Fighting Across The Country – OpEd
ntense confrontations have erupted between insurgents and security forces in multiple Iranian cities, marking the 25th day of a large-scale national uprising. Despite live gunfire and brutal repression, protesters continue their resistance with determination.
Shiraz – Thursday, January 22
– Violent clashes took place between insurgents and special forces, despite heavy gunfire from regime forces.
– Protesters responded to attacks on residential homes by chanting: “Death to Khamenei” and “Death to the Dictator.”
Targets of the Insurgents: Centers of Repression
Coordinated attacks have been carried out on regime power centers across the country:
• Tehran, Zahedan, Rasht, and other cities: insurgents erected barricades and stormed Friday Prayer leader offices and Basij bases.
• Isfahan – January 20: A Molotov cocktail attack on a Basij base in Kouhpaye injured three militia members.
• Mashhad: A Sepah Bank branch (linked to the armed forces) and a Basij base were set on fire.
• Abarkooh (Khorasan): The Friday Prayer leader’s office was attacked and engulfed in flames.
• Gharchak: Vehicles belonging to security forces were torched.
Barricades and Roadblocks: Streets Turn Into Strongholds
• Tehran: In Ferdowsi Square, Hafez Street, and Navab Highway, young insurgents constructed makeshift barricades to slow down special forces. Several vehicles and motorcycles belonging to regime forces were set ablaze.
• Zahedan and Iranshahr (Sistan and Baluchestan Province): Protesters blocked roads and held their ground against direct gunfire.
• Bandar Abbas and Ahvaz: Anti-regime slogans echoed through clouds of smoke rising from burning government facilities.
Official Regime Response
The Secretary of the Regime’s Security Council, Pourjamshidian, publicly acknowledged the scale of the uprising:
• Over 400 cities have experienced protests.
• Around 100 simultaneous flashpoints of conflict occurred in Tehran alone.
• 4,014 government buildings—including city halls and provincial offices—were damaged.
• 749 police vehicles were set on fire.
• 120 Basij bases were targeted.
• 89 religious seminaries were partially or completely destroyed.
International Condemnation – European Parliament Resolution
On January 22, the European Parliament adopted a resolution by an overwhelming majority (562 votes in favor, 9 against) condemning the violent crackdown on protesters
Key points of the resolution:
• Calls for the immediate designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its affiliated branches as a terrorist organization.
• Denounces propaganda, disinformation, and intimidation campaigns carried out by Iranian embassies in Europe.
• Strongly condemns the mass killings committed by the Iranian regime.
• Expresses full solidarity with the Iranian people and their brave and legitimate protest movement, which demands dignity, safety, and respect for their rights.
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