Tehran, Jan 9, 2026 — Protesters in Iran have torn down a statue of Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) Quds Force, amid escalating nationwide demonstrations.
Videos shared on social media show demonstrators dismantling the statue in Iran’s Fars province on Wednesday (Jan 7), marking the 11th consecutive day of protests. Soleimani, a powerful military figure in Iran, was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq in 2020, an event that significantly heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington.
Following his killing, Iran launched missile attacks on several U.S. military bases across the Middle East. During that period, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard also mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane, killing all those on board—an incident that sparked widespread domestic and international outrage.
Protests intensified on Thursday night, prompting Iranian authorities to shut down internet and mobile phone services across large parts of the country. Despite the communication blackout, thousands of people reportedly gathered in the capital, Tehran, while demonstrations also spread to other cities.
In Isfahan, protesters set fire to a building linked to the state television broadcaster, according to reports. Similar incidents of arson and clashes have been reported in other regions, underscoring the growing scale and intensity of the unrest.
The developments signal a deepening challenge for Iranian authorities as public anger continues to mount despite strict security measures and restrictions on information flow.
