Day 20 Live Report: Arson attacks on regime institutions, street battles expand, and Resistance Units pay a heavy price
Key Highlights from Today’s Iran Protests
- Rafsanjan Escalation: Protesters clashed with special units and torched multiple regime institutions, including a bank, post office, and the Khomeini Relief Committee.
- Northern & Western Resistance: Fierce street battles continued in Gonbad-e Kavus against heavily armed special units.
- Resistance Units Martyrs: Six members of the PMOI Resistance Units—students and workers, including minors—were confirmed killed by direct fire in Tehran and Kermanshah.
- Defiance Despite Repression: Protesters continue confronting armed forces despite lethal force, arrests, and militarization.
🔴 Update – 6:30 PM CET (Thursday, January 16, 2026)
In Zahedan, mass demonstrations erupted after Friday prayers, with protesters chanting “Death to Khamenei” and “Death to the dictator.”
The protests took place despite the regime’s ongoing crackdown, underscoring continued public defiance in the city.
🔴 Update – 12:00 PM CET (Thursday, January 16, 2026)
In Rafsanjan, on Thursday night (25 Dey), rebellious youth engaged in fierce street battles with heavily armed special units. During the confrontations, protesters set fire to a regime-linked bank, escalating attacks on institutions associated with repression and economic exploitation.
The previous night, protesters in Rafsanjan also torched the regime’s post office and set fire to the Khomeini Relief Committee building, marking a sustained campaign against regime infrastructure.
In Gonbad-e Kavus, on Wednesday night, protesters fought bold and sustained street battles with special units across multiple streets, confronting security forces despite heavy repression.
In Gonbad-e Kavus, on Wednesday night, protesters fought bold and sustained street battles with special units across multiple streets, resisting advancing forces despite heavy repression.
Martyrs of the Nationwide Uprising – PMOI Resistance Units
The following individuals were members of the Resistance Units of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) who were killed by direct fire during the uprising, according to verified reports:
- Zahra (Raha) Behlouli-Pour, 18 — PMOI Resistance Unit member and University of Tehran student, killed on January 8, 2026, on Fatemi Street, Tehran.
- Yasin Mirzaei Qaleh Zanjiri — PMOI Resistance Unit member and student, killed on January 8, 2026, in Kermanshah.
- Reza Ghanbari, 17 — PMOI Resistance Unit member and worker, killed on January 3, 2026, in Kermanshah.
- Rasoul Kodourian, 17 — PMOI Resistance Unit member and worker, killed on January 3, 2026, in Kermanshah.
- Reza Kodourian, 20 — PMOI Resistance Unit member and worker, killed on January 3, 2026, in Kermanshah.
- Diar Pourchehriq, 32 — PMOI Resistance Unit member, self-employed, originally from Salmas, killed on January 9, 2026, on Keshavarz Boulevard, Tehran.
Related documentation and footage released by Simay Azadi:
🚨 BREAKING | Iran Protests — Resistance Units Identified
— SIMAY AZADI TV (@en_simayazadi) January 15, 2026
The @Mojahedineng has identified members of its brave Resistance Units who were killed by regime fire during the nationwide uprising:
• Zahra (Raha) Bohlouli-Pour, 18, University of Tehran student — shot dead on Jan 8,… pic.twitter.com/I0OcVTjRdG
What Happened
The Iran Protests erupted amid widespread anger over political repression, economic hardship, and decades of authoritarian rule. What began as localized demonstrations has evolved into a sustained nationwide uprising led largely by youth, workers, and organized Resistance Units. Despite lethal force, mass arrests, and escalating militarization, protesters continue to return to the streets, directly challenging regime institutions and security forces.