Huge crowds of protesters have been marching through Iran’s capital and other cities, videos show, in what is said to be the largest show of force by opponents of the clerical establishment in years.
The peaceful demonstrations in Tehran and the second city of Mashhad on Thursday evening, which were not dispersed by security forces, can be seen in footage verified by BBC Persian.
Later, a monitoring group reported a nationwide internet blackout.
I cannot wait to visit Tehran.
Persia is of our world’s greatest cultures. Iran has been almost half a century under this oppressive theocracy.
Wishing you all every success. Good luck out there.
I do not understand the lack of our coverage here. But we still hear you.
LFG. pic.twitter.com/yAkSEBYBjn
— Eric Weinstein (@EricRWeinstein) January 8, 2026
I’m not afraid. I’ve been dead for 47 years this is the voice of a woman in Iran who is fed up with the Islamic republic.
47 years ago, the Islamic Republic took our rights and turned a nation into hostages.
Today people have nothing left to lose, they rise.
Iran is rising. pic.twitter.com/GAawmynE0C— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) January 8, 2026
