Iran Anti-Government Protests 2026: IRGC Signals Crackdown as Trump Warns of Intervention

The streets are burning, but the authorities are drawing a red line in the sand. According to Reuters, Iran's authorities indicated on Saturday, January 10, 2026, that they'll intensify their crackdown on the biggest anti-government demonstrations in years. The Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) have blamed the unrest on 'terrorists' and vowed to safeguard the governing system at any cost.

Iran Anti-Government Protests 2026 Crackdown: Rising Toll and Violence

What started as a response to soaring inflation on December 28 has rapidly turned into a political movement demanding an end to clerical rule. The human rights group HRANA reports that at least 50 protesters and 15 security personnel have been killed. Meanwhile, authorities have arrested approximately 2,300 individuals as the IRGC deploys live ammunition in some areas.

Geopolitical Stakes and the 'Endurance Game'

The situation has become a high-stakes standoff between the United States and Iran. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accuses protesters of acting as mercenaries for foreigners. A senior U.S. intelligence official described the crisis as an 'endurance game,' where the opposition seeks to break the government's resolve before fear clears the streets.