Mass demonstrations, a worsening economic crisis and a tense military standoff with the United States have put unprecedented pressure on Iran’s leaders in recent weeks.
A near-total communications blackout imposed as clashes became deadly in early January made independent, real-time verification of events and reported fatalities nearly impossible. Although unrest has eased and some restrictions were lifted, the full extent of the violence and the number of those killed remain uncertain.
DW spoke with several people who witnessed unrest in Tehran on the nights of January 8 and 9. Names have been changed to protect identities. Their accounts do not cover the entire country but shed light on how the authorities responded and how events unfolded in the capital.
Streets overtaken by crowds
Long-simmering anger over the economy helped fuel protests that spread through Tehran from late December. Sina, a 29-year-old engineer, said he joined demonstrations almost every night after they started.
“I would drive through central parts of Tehran — neighborhoods that usually see protests,” he said. “The streets felt like they’d been taken over. In places people blocked lanes and just marched. The way they moved together was surprising.”
Pressure on the government intensified in early January as protests spread nationwide. US President Donald Trump publicly threatened military action, and violent episodes accompanied peaceful marches, with some government buildings, businesses, mosques and police stations set on fire.
Hamid, a 36-year-old teacher, described similar scenes near the City Theater by the University of Tehran. He said rows of security personnel armed with batons and pellet guns were present but seemed overwhelmed by the size of the crowds.
Pellet gun injuries and escalating force
Both witnesses said security forces at first focused on dispersal rather than outright lethal force, which may have encouraged more people to join. By January 8 and 9, however, the situation turned more violent. Hamid described a small group of protesters emerging from an alley and being met by a larger force that fired pellet guns at close range.
“I was hit under my eye that night,” Hamid said. “Only the next day, when the swelling subsided, did I see there wasn’t permanent damage.”
Family groups in the streets
Multiple interviewees noted a striking difference from past protests: many families turned out together, with couples and parents bringing teenagers.
“I saw groups from different generations who already knew one another,” said Fatemeh, a 31-year-old student. “Previous protests were more youth-dominated or made up of peer groups.”
Small coordinated groups and uncertainty over their role
Hamid and Sina reported seeing small clusters that engaged in vandalism, destroying cameras and setting fires, while the broader crowd kept its distance or tried to stop them.
“Some protesters tried to intervene,” Hamid said. “But others looked coordinated and ready, and I didn’t want to get close.” Sina described similar groups directing movement, telling cars which way to go and deliberately blocking streets.
Who those organized groups were remains disputed. Iranian officials have accused foreign actors, alleging involvement by Israel’s Mossad and describing the unrest as part of a US-Israeli “hybrid war.” Trump’s vocal support for demonstrators added to fears of external interference and the prospect of further US military action.
Opposition voices counter that narrative, suggesting organized provocateurs could have been pro-government agents aiming to steer demonstrations toward violence and discredit the movement.
Mistaken identities and intra-protester violence
Hamid said tensions sometimes erupted within the crowds, with demonstrators attacking people they suspected of being undercover security personnel. One friend, mistaken for a Basij militiaman because of his beard, was beaten and later hospitalized, he said.
“I saw people assaulting security forces too, but that doesn’t justify the level of force used by the authorities,” Hamid added. “In many confrontations it was the anti-riot units that initiated the violence; most others were just fighting back.”
Youthful optimism and concerns about impulse
Majid, a 39-year-old taxi driver who joined protests in eastern Tehran, said many younger participants believed the movement could quickly topple the regime. Some cited Trump’s threats as evidence the Islamic Republic was vulnerable.
“They were convinced we were there to win,” he said. “I told them change takes time, but they accused me of being too cautious.”
Majid warned that such optimism could fuel impulsive acts — attacks on businesses or banks — that might undermine broader goals. “This is a long game,” he said. “You need patience and strategy, not just momentum.”
These firsthand reports offer snapshots of unrest in Tehran during two volatile nights. They illustrate the complexity on the ground: massive street mobilization, families participating, small coordinated groups carrying out sabotage, violent confrontations, and a government narrative blaming foreign interference while opponents point to internal provocateurs.
With communications control and limited independent verification, many questions about casualties and responsibility for escalations remain unanswered.
Edited by Darko Janjevic