From Tehran and Karaj to Ramsar, Shiraz, and Kermanshah, resistance units escalate nationwide operations during the January 2026 uprising
Nationwide Operations Mark a New Phase of the Uprising
During the January 2026 uprising, resistance units carried out wide-ranging, coordinated, and high-risk operations against centers of repression and symbols of authority of Iran’s ruling clerical regime across dozens of cities. These actions included attacks on Basij bases and police stations, the burning of municipal and governorate buildings, and repeated street clashes with special units of the security forces.
The scope and simultaneity of these operations—from western border towns to central and southern provinces—underscored the transformation of the uprising into a nationwide confrontation. Alongside street actions, students at the University of Tehran held a gathering to honor Aida Heydari, a protester killed during the uprising, while funeral processions for fallen protesters further reflected the movement’s depth and continuity.
Tehran and Karaj: Street Clashes and Municipal Buildings Set Ablaze
In Aryashahr, western Tehran, on January 9, 2026, resistance youths engaged in sustained street clashes with special police units, forcing security forces to retreat from several streets after running battles.
In Azimiyeh, Karaj, on January 8, 2026, protesters set fire to the municipal building of District One, targeting an institution widely viewed as an instrument of repression and economic pressure. A similar action took place in Shahr-e Qods (Qal‘eh Hasan Khan) on January 7, 2026, where demonstrators burned the city’s municipal headquarters.
In Gohardasht, Karaj, also on January 8, 2026, resistance units attacked a Basij base, destroying surveillance cameras and setting parts of the facility on fire.
Ramsar: Multiple Regime Institutions Targeted in One Day
Ramsar, in northern Iran, witnessed some of the most intense actions on January 8, 2026. Resistance units reportedly overran and set fire to a local police station, forcing security personnel to flee and seizing weapons and equipment. Several police vehicles were also torched during the clashes.
On the same day, protesters stormed the local judiciary building, destroying surveillance cameras, and later attacked a gathering center used by security forces. The governor’s office in Ramsar was also set ablaze, marking a direct challenge to the regime’s administrative authority in the city.
Southern and Western Provinces Join the Escalation
In Shiraz, on January 8, 2026, resistance youths blocked access routes used by security forces and engaged in prolonged clashes at Zand Intersection, disrupting the movement of repression units.
In Gilan-e Gharb, also on January 8, protesters set fire to vehicles belonging to security forces and targeted symbols associated with clerical rule. Similar confrontations were reported in Qazvin throughout January, involving repeated clashes between protesters and special units.
In Kahoorestan, near Lar in Hormozgan Province, resistance units attacked a police command post using repeated incendiary devices, indicating the spread of organized actions into southern regions.
Kermanshah: Defiant Chants Signal Political Clarity
In Kermanshah, on January 8, 2026, protesters engaged in street battles with special units while chanting, “Death to the oppressor, whether Shah or Supreme Leader.” The slogan reflected a clear political stance rejecting all forms of dictatorship and underscored the uprising’s broader demand for popular sovereignty.
A Nationwide Pattern of Escalation
Taken together, the events of January 2026 demonstrate a qualitative shift in Iran’s uprising. Coordinated actions across Tehran, Alborz, Mazandaran, Fars, Kermanshah, Hormozgan, and Qazvin provinces illustrate that resistance networks are no longer confined to isolated urban centers but are operating across a broad national geography.
The persistence, coordination, and political clarity of these actions suggest that the regime’s traditional mechanisms of repression are increasingly unable to contain the scale and momentum of the uprising.
