From December 31, 2025, to January 13, 2026, Ahvaz witnessed sustained street battles, mass protests, and escalating repression as residents openly challenged the Iranian regime’s authority.
Governor’s Office Set Ablaze
On December 31, 2025, residents of Ahvaz staged a large demonstration that quickly escalated into open confrontation with regime security forces. Protesters blocked several streets by lighting fires and, following clashes with regime agents, set the Ahvaz governor’s office building ablaze. The act marked a decisive escalation in the city’s uprising and a direct challenge to the regime’s administrative authority.
Streets Blocked Amid Ongoing Clashes
On Tuesday, January 6, running battles and protest gatherings by defiant youth continued across multiple neighborhoods of Ahvaz. Protesters blocked major streets by igniting fires, disrupting traffic and limiting the movement of regime forces. Clashes persisted throughout the day as resistance expanded into different districts.
Bazaar Merchants Join the Protests
On Wednesday, January 7, bazaar merchants and enraged residents held a protest inside Ahvaz’s main market. Demonstrators chanted slogans in support of the merchants, including calls urging shopkeepers to shut down. Following these chants, large sections of the bazaar closed, signaling growing economic resistance and broader social participation in the uprising.
Citywide Confrontations Intensify
On Thursday, January 8, regime agents fired tear gas at demonstrators who had gathered in the Naderi area. Clashes continued into Friday, January 9, as rebellious youth confronted regime forces in the Golestan district. Security units fired continuously at protesters to prevent them from approaching the regime’s intelligence facilities.
Simultaneously, forces loyal to Khamenei attacked protests in the Zeytoon-e Karmandi area and the central bazaar, arresting a number of demonstrators.
“The People Want the Downfall of the Regime”
Despite brutal repression, a massive protest took place on Saturday, January 10. Large crowds forced police and security units to retreat as far as the Boostan intersection in the Kouy-e Saadi area. During their retreat, regime forces fired directly at protesters. In an apparent display of fear, the regime also deployed drones to monitor and control the situation.
Protesters continued chanting the slogan “Ash-sha‘b yurīd isqāṭ an-niẓām” (“The people want the downfall of the regime”). Street battles erupted across Zoveyeh, Kouy-e Alavi, Golestan, Kianpars, Zeytoon-e Karmandi, and the main bazaar. During these confrontations, three banks were set on fire by protesters. Two demonstrators were killed during the clashes.
Night Protests and Heavy Repression
On Sunday and Monday, January 11 and 12, protests and clashes with regime forces continued. Security units fired live ammunition at demonstrators and carried out multiple arrests. On Monday night, intense street battles took place in Naderi Street, 24-Metri, and the Abdolhamid Bazaar area.
The regime deployed concrete barriers to block streets and prevent protesters from advancing, effectively militarizing large parts of the city.
Deadly Assaults on Night Demonstrations
On Tuesday, January 13, forces loyal to Khamenei launched violent assaults on night-time protests in the Golestan neighborhood, the Saadi area, and the Goldasteh district. Protesters and rebellious youth resisted the attacks. Regime forces used live ammunition and pellet guns, committing severe acts of violence.
As a result, several protesters were killed and many others were wounded, underscoring the regime’s reliance on lethal force to suppress the growing uprising in Ahvaz.
