Reports related to demonstrations and public protests
The U.S. intercepted two Iranian oil supertankers in the Strait of Hormuz on January 12, 2026, as Iran continued to block maritime traffic through the strategic waterway.
An Iranian source told Hezbollah-linked Lebanese outlet Al Akhbar that Tehran has declared a clause demanding a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah as non-negotiable in any deal with the U.S., while the U.S. responded through Pakistan’s mediator that direct talks between Israel and Lebanon would resolve the issue faster and that Lebanon should not be included in Iran-U.S. negotiations.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has begun painting its missiles blue in response to comments from Iranian youth who expressed a preference for blue over pink colors.
On December 15, 2025, the US military intercepted two Iranian oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, preventing them from bypassing the existing blockade aimed at restricting Iran's oil exports.
Gholamhossein Mohseni Eje'i, head of the Iranian judiciary, stated that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' naval fleet on Farur Island is prepared to defend against U.S. ships using speedboats and drones. He also reported that three U.S. ships were subjected to law enforcement in a strategic waterway the previous day, claiming the Americans avoid approaching the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has announced that it has collected its first revenue from tolls imposed on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Mohammad Jafar Asadi, Deputy Inspector of the Central Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, declared that as long as Basij members are alive, they will prevent any American presence in the country, vowing to write the history of their resistance in the "Pasdarannameh" and "Basijnameh" when their struggle reaches its conclusion.
During a press conference in Berlin, Prince Reza Pahlavi criticized Qalibaf, Araghchi, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, describing them as "faces of the same killing machine" and not pragmatic.
In Berlin, Iran's exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi criticized Iran's lead negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, stating they are not pragmatists or reformers but rather part of the same regime as the IRGC.
Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, has called for a permanent ceasefire in the Iran war, stating that Australia wants to reduce tensions and end the conflict while advocating for normal economic trade to continue without the Islamic Republic acquiring nuclear weapons.
The newspaper Kian, under the supervision of a representative of the Islamic Republic's leader, wrote: "Part of our demand from Qatar is approximately seven billion dollars. If we halt the maritime trade of such a country by controlling the Strait of Hormuz, they will soon be forced to pay their debt. Why should we hesitate to use this leverage?" The newspaper added: "We can block Qatar's maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz to get the blocked funds back."
Over 100 Basij forces were poisoned and hospitalized in Parand, Tehran, with one death confirmed; the IRGC's public relations arm in Parand has issued a statement downplaying the incident, claiming the poisoning was isolated to the deceased member's home.
