Friday, January 16, 2026
The nationwide uprising against the religious dictatorship in Iran has reached its twentieth day on Friday, January 16, 2026. Following a nineteenth day marked by the revelation of over 50,000 arrests and the regime’s use of drones to hunt down civilians, the people have shown no signs of backing down.
On Friday, the brave people of Zahedan took to the streets once again, defying a massive security crackdown. Simultaneously, the mullahs’ regime faces deepening diplomatic isolation for its crimes against humanity.
Day 20 Roundup: PMOI identifies martyrs, Zahedan protests, and direct fire in Dezful
On Friday, January 16, 2026, the twentieth day of the uprising saw the Baluch compatriots in Zahedan challenging the regime’s authority, while the PMOI released the identities of brave Resistance Unit members killed by suppressive forces.
Key highlights from today include:
- PMOI Identifies Martyrs: The PMOI has released the names and details of several Resistance Unit members killed by regime fire, including an 18-year-old student in Tehran and three young workers in Kermanshah.
- Zahedan Uprising: Despite a heavy military siege and mass arrests, the people of Zahedan took to the streets after Friday prayers, chanting “Death to Khamenei” and “Death to the dictator.”
- Direct Fire in Dezful: Shocking video footage newly obtained from Dezful confirms that repressive forces used live ammunition in previous days, aiming directly at the heads of protesters in Sa’at Square.
- Record Internet Blackout: The total internet shutdown has now exceeded 180 hours, surpassing the duration of the 2019 blackout, with no sign of restoration.
- Portugal Closes Embassy: In a blow to the regime’s diplomatic standing, Portugal announced the temporary closure of its embassy in Tehran due to the “context of tension.”
- US Congress Support: 59 bipartisan Members of Congress sent a letter rejecting both the current theocratic regime and the former monarchical dictatorship, supporting a secular, democratic republic.
PMOI publishes names of Resistance Unit members killed by regime
As the regime attempts to hide the true cost of the uprising behind an internet blackout, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) continues to break through the censorship. The PMOI has identified several members of its Resistance Units who have been killed by direct regime fire during the protests.
We are releasing the names of six PMOI Resistance Units killed by the mullahs' regime during the nationwide uprising. These were young freedom fighters who wanted nothing other than freedom for their country.#IranProtests #IranRevolutionpic.twitter.com/6GseocmARn
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) January 16, 2026
These martyrs, ranging from university students to young workers, exemplify the courage of a generation determined to end the dictatorship. The identified martyrs are:
- Zahra (Raha) Bohlouli-Pour: 18 years old, a student at the University of Tehran. She was shot dead on January 8, 2026, in Fatemi Street, Tehran.
- Yasin Mirzaei Qaleh Zanjiri: A student shot dead on January 8, 2026, in Kermanshah.
- Reza Ghanbari: 17 years old, a worker. He was killed during clashes on January 3, 2026, in Kermanshah.
- Rasoul Kadivarian: 17 years old, a worker. He was killed during clashes on January 3, 2026, in Kermanshah.
- Reza Kadivarian: 20 years old, a worker. He was killed during clashes on January 3, 2026, in Kermanshah.
- Diar Pour-Chehriq: 32 years old, self-employed, from Salmas. He was shot dead on January 9, 2026, at Keshavarz Boulevard in Tehran.
Zahedan: “Death to Khamenei” echoes despite martial law atmosphere
On Friday, January 16, the brave people of Zahedan turned the weekly Friday prayers into a major protest against the regime. Reports indicate that the city has been under a heavy security siege for days.
The regime deployed a large number of forces around the Makki Mosque to control the crowds. Checkpoints were established at the city’s entrances and main streets, where citizens were subjected to body searches and inspection of their mobile phones.
January 16—Zahedan, southeast Iran
Heavy presence of security forces in fear of anti-regime protests.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/z5Z9ctLN60— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) January 16, 2026
Despite these repressive measures and the ongoing wave of arrests, citizens took to the streets after prayers, chanting “Death to Khamenei.” Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), saluted the people of Zahedan, stating that their demonstration “stands as a clear expression of the Iranian people’s firm resolve to bring down this criminal regime.”
Salute to the courageous people of Zahedan, and to the freedom-loving Baluch compatriots who today once again ignited the flames of Iran’s uprising through a brave march and chants of “Death to Khamenei” and “Death to the dictator.”
This demonstration, held in the wake of mass… pic.twitter.com/ScwbuHaFoC— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) January 16, 2026
Crimes against humanity in Dezful: Shooting to kill
Harrowing video footage obtained from Dezful, Khuzestan province, reveals the sheer brutality of the regime’s forces. In Sa’at Square (Imam Square), armed agents were filmed firing live ammunition directly at unarmed protesters. The footage indicates that the forces were aiming specifically at the heads of the demonstrators without any prior warning.
January 2026—Dezful, southwest Iran
Newly obtained video shows security forces using firearms against civilians during the nationwide uprising.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/MaifeN2Iqh— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) January 16, 2026
Diplomatic Isolation: Portugal closes embassy; US Congress rejects Shah and Mullahs
The international community is increasingly isolating the regime. Portugal has announced the closure of its embassy in Tehran, citing “tension” and the violent repression of demonstrations. The Portuguese Foreign Minister also stated readiness to join EU sanctions against the regime.
Meanwhile, a significant bipartisan letter from 59 U.S. Members of Congress to State Secretary Marco Rubio has clarified the stance of the American legislature regarding Iran’s future. The lawmakers emphasized that the Iranian people want a “secular, democratic, non-nuclear republic” and explicitly noted that Iranians have “rejected all forms of authoritarian rule, whether Iran’s former monarchy dictatorship or its current theocratic system.”
https://twitter.com/en_simayazadi/status/2012216049177915627
Global condemnation continues to pour in. Marko Mihkelson, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Estonian Parliament, described the current crackdown as “the bloodiest suppression of protests in modern history,” while Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned the brutality and advised Australians to leave Iran.
Internet blackout exceeds 2019 record
⚠️ Update: At 180 hours, the total internet blackout in #Iran now exceeds the core duration of the 2019 shutdown, and there is still no partial or regional restoration.
in 2019, it was only after connectivity was restored that the scale of the brutal crackdown became known. pic.twitter.com/jTBcaswzbS
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) January 16, 2026
As the regime attempts to conceal its crimes, the internet blackout in Iran has now surpassed the duration of the infamous 2019 shutdown. NetBlocks confirmed that after 180 hours, there is still no restoration of connectivity. It is worth noting that in 2019, the true scale of the massacre only became known after the internet was restored.