The nationwide uprising against the mullahs’ regime in Iran has reached its twenty-first day on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Following a twentieth day defined by the courageous protests of Baluch compatriots in Zahedan and deepening diplomatic isolation for the mullahs, the regime has responded by turning the capital into a military garrison.
On Saturday, reports from the PMOI’s network inside Iran reveal that the regime has declared a state of 100% alert, deploying tens of thousands of armed forces to lock down Tehran. Despite this unprecedented siege, rebellious youth continued their resistance with hit-and-run clashes across the capital and other major cities overnight.
Day 21 Roundup: 52,000 forces deployed in Tehran, armed clashes in Izeh, and growing international pressure
On Saturday, January 17, 2026, the twenty-first day of the uprising saw the regime resorting to heavy weaponry and foreign proxies to maintain control of Tehran, while the Iranian Resistance released the names of more martyrs who gave their lives for freedom.
Key highlights from today include:
- Argentina Designates Quds Force: Argentine President Javier Milei signed a decree designating the IRGC Quds Force and 13 individuals as terrorists, citing both historical attacks and the unit’s role in the current massacre of Iranian protesters.
- Tehran Under Siege: The PMOI Social Headquarters inside Iran reports that 52,000 suppressive forces, including IRGC, Basij, and Iraqi Hashd al-Shaabi proxies, have been deployed to control Tehran, establishing checkpoints and positioning machine guns in major squares.
- New Martyrs Identified: The PMOI verified and announced the names of 32 more martyrs of the uprising, bringing the total number of identified victims to 162.
- Nightly Clashes: Rebellious youth engaged in hit-and-run confrontations in Tehran neighborhoods like Naziabad and Ekbatan. In Izeh, Bakhtiari youth engaged in armed clashes with the IRGC.
- Strikes in Qirokarezin: Shopkeepers and the bazaar in Qirokarezin went on strike in solidarity with the nationwide movement.
- Calls for Terror Designation of IRGC: European Parliament President Roberta Metsola reiterated the push to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization, a move welcomed by NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi as urgent and necessary.
- Global Condemnation: Austria, France, and US Senators have issued strong statements condemning the crackdown and supporting the Iranian people’s right to freedom.
Tehran under military occupation: Heavy machine guns and 52,000 troops deployed
The regime has effectively placed the capital under martial law. The Social Headquarters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) inside Iran reports that enemy forces are on “100% alert.” To suppress the growing unrest, a staggering 52,000 suppressive forces have been deployed across Tehran.
The breakdown of these forces reveals the regime’s desperation and reliance on foreign mercenaries:
- 24,000 from the IRGC and Basij.
- 21,000 from the State Security Force (SSF).
- 2,000 from the Army under Khamenei’s direct command.
- 5,000 proxy forces, specifically the Iraqi Hashd al-Shaabi.
The city’s landscape has been militarized. Heavy machine guns and 12.7mm DShKs have been stationed in major squares and strategic bottlenecks. Snipers have been positioned on high points overlooking sensitive locations, government buildings, and even residential areas.
On the ground, armed patrols of the SSF, IRGC, and Basij roam the streets 24 hours a day. These units, operating in groups of 15 to 50 using buses for transport, are armed with military-grade weapons including Kalashnikovs and shotguns. They are also equipping handheld launchers for tear gas and pepper spray, as well as paintball guns to mark protesters, homes, and shops for later targeting. Checkpoints have been established where forces randomly inspect vehicle trunks.
Rebellious youth strike back: Armed clashes in Izeh and defiance in Tehran
Despite the unparalleled suppression, the spirit of resistance remains unbroken. Reports indicate that rebellious youth in Tehran engaged in nightly hit-and-run clashes with suppressive forces in the districts of Naziabad, Tehranpars, Piroozi, and Ekbatan.
In the provinces, the resistance is intensifying. In Izeh (Khuzestan province), reports confirm armed clashes and hit-and-run confrontations between brave Bakhtiari youths and IRGC members. In Kermanshah, youth punished a Basij mercenary in Taq-e Bostan.
Furthermore, in Saveh, rebellious youth clashed with mercenaries on Motahari Street, while in Qirokarezin (Fars province), the bazaar and shops went on strike, paralyzing local economic activity. This follows the brave protests in Zahedan on Friday, where citizens chanted “Death to Khamenei” and “Death to the Basiji” despite the siege of the Makki Mosque.
PMOI releases names of 31 more martyrs
The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) has announced the names of 31 more martyrs of the nationwide uprising, bringing the total number of identified martyrs to 161. Six of these newly identified heroes are women.
The martyrs, who hail from cities across Iran including Tehran, Karaj, Mashhad, and Shiraz, gave their lives for the freedom of their country. Among them are young men like 17-year-old Abolfazl Yaghmouri from Fardis, Karaj, and 15-year-old Arnika Dabbagh from Gorgan.
International pressure mounts: Calls for IRGC terror designation
As the regime ramps up violence, the international community is moving toward stricter measures. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, stated that the Parliament will keep pushing to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization to disrupt their “cash flow” and “modus operandi.”
People in Iran deserve to live free.
The European Parliament will keep pushing to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation.
It would mean further degradation of the IRGC's ability to operate with impunity, disrupt their cash flow,… pic.twitter.com/XW2XABoP6i
— Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) January 17, 2026
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), welcomed this stance, stating, “The IRGC is the principal instrument of repression, criminal violence, and state-sponsored terrorism under Ali Khamenei’s rule. Today, following the crimes against humanity committed during the January uprising, any further delay in designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization is unacceptable.”
The timely and renewed call by Ms. Roberta Metsola, @EP_President for the imposition of tougher sanctions on the Iranian regime, particularly the designation of the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, comes at a moment marked by the brutal killing of… pic.twitter.com/igKbEcrBTb
— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) January 17, 2026
Support is also growing from national governments. Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker condemned the regime’s “brutal cruelty” and pledged support for sanctions. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot vowed “no impunity” for the perpetrators of the crackdown, noting that the EU is readying new sanctions. In the United States, Senator Thom Tillis commended actions to sanction those behind the violent crackdown, standing with the Iranian people’s pursuit of freedom.
The images from Iran have been deeply disturbing. I commend @POTUS for taking appropriate action to confront the Iranian regime for its egregious human rights violations. By sanctioning those behind this violent crackdown, America is sending a clear message of support and is…
— Senator Thom Tillis (@SenThomTillis) January 16, 2026
Argentina designates IRGC Quds Force as terrorist organization; Unit implicated in recent massacre
In a significant move against the regime’s external terror apparatus, Argentine President Javier Milei signed a decree on Saturday proscribing the Quds Force of the IRGC and thirteen individuals linked to its overseas operations as terrorists.
The decree explicitly states that the Quds Force is a division “specializing in training for carrying out terrorist attacks in other countries,” including several attacks on Argentinian soil.
Under this new decision, members of the Quds Force and their allies are now subject to financial sanctions and operational restrictions to limit their capacity to act and to protect Argentina’s financial system.
— Oficina del Presidente (@OPRArgentina) January 17, 2026
The designation comes amidst reports confirming the direct involvement of the Quds Force in the brutal suppression of the current uprising in Iran. According to multiple reports, the Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force and its allied proxy forces played a central role in the killing of protesters on January 8 and 9.