Protestor carries a placard with the image of the son of the last shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Reza Pahlavi, in Paris. (January 11, 2026)
Iran declares three days of national mourning for “martyrs”
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The Iranian government on Sunday declared three days of national mourning for "martyrs" including members of the security forces killed in two weeks of protests, state television said.
The government described the fight against what it has termed "riots" as an "Iranian national resistance battle against America and the Zionist regime".
President Masoud Pezeshkian urged people to take part in a "national resistance march" of nationwide rallies on Monday to denounce the violence, which the government said was committed by "urban terrorist criminals", state television reported.
Protests in Iran
The protests, initially sparked by anger over the rising cost of living, have evolved into a movement against the current leadership which has been in place in Iran since the 1979 revolution. They have already lasted two weeks.
The protests have become one of the biggest challenges to the rule of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, coming in the wake of ‘Israel's’ 12-day war against the Islamic republic in June, which was backed by the United States.
Protests have swelled in recent days despite an internet blackout that has lasted more than 72 hours, according to monitor Netblocks.
“National resistance battle”
President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the arch-foes of Iran of "trying to escalate this unrest" and bringing "terrorists from abroad into the country", in an interview broadcast Sunday with state media.
State TV has aired images of burning buildings, including a mosque, as well as funeral processions for security personnel, with authorities saying members of the security forces have been killed.
Reza Pahlavi, the US-based son of Iran's ousted shah, who has played a prominent role in calling for the protests, said he was prepared to return to the country and lead a transition to a democratic government.
"I'm already planning on that," he told Fox News on Sunday.
US President Donald Trump has voiced support for the protests and threatened military action against Iranian authorities "if they start killing people".
Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran would hit back if the US launched military action, with the US military and shipping "legitimate targets" he said in comments broadcast by state TV.
