Reports related to demonstrations and public protests
General Afshin Naqshbandi, the liaison between the General Staff and the Basij forces, was killed in an airstrike in central Tehran.
Hegaeth, an open-source intelligence account, states that being a senior leader in the IRGC or Basij is currently the least desirable job, implying that the world has effectively isolated Iran by pushing it to the bottom in international affairs.
On January 8 and 9, 2026, the Islamic Republic regime executed three young protesters—Mehdi Ghasemi, Saleh Mohammadi, and Saeed Davoudi—on fabricated charges, adding to the regime's record of violence during the national uprising. The protesters were arrested during the protests and later sentenced to death without evidence, while thousands more were killed, injured, or arrested by security forces.
The UK has sent a team of military planners to work with the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
During Operation "Roaring Lion," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attacked Basij forces in western Iran and targeted personnel at multiple positions in Tehran. Attacks on Basij guard posts and other regime forces continue.
The Israeli army released a video stating that a member of the Basij force was killed during guard duty at a base entrance in western Tehran. In the video's caption, the Israeli army threatened continued targeting of Basij-affiliated forces in any location.
An Israeli Air Force Hermes 900 drone conducted a strike on a Basij militia member of the IRGC who was on guard duty at a base entrance, as shown in a video provided by the IDF. The Basij militia have been involved in the crackdown on protests in January 2026, resulting in thousands of casualties.
On Wednesday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) attacked and killed a Basij unit soldier guarding an entrance post at a base in western Iran as part of "Operation Lion's Roar." The day before, IDF targeted Basij soldiers operating in more than 10 positions across Tehran.
Iranian media reported the killing of Afshin Nakhshbandi, the representative of the General Staff of the Islamic Republic's Armed Forces in the Basij, in Iran. Prior to his death, Nakhshbandi had claimed that the Islamic Republic and its armed forces were the definitive victors of the 12-day war.
On March 18, a video obtained by Iran International shows a fighter jet flying over Asaluyeh after bombing petrochemical facilities in the South Pars field.
On the night of Chaharshanbe Suri in Shiraz, Basij forces attacked four young people who were standing by the fire, according to a report and video received by Iran International.
A resident of Gisha in Tehran sent a video to Iran Wire stating that while Tehran was calmer on New Year's Eve compared to previous nights, the bombardment of Bandar Anzali and Rasht prevented them from sleeping. The resident noted that despite the turmoil, they ventured out to purchase items for the Haft-Seen table, believing Nowruz and setting up the traditional table symbolize life continuing and spring emerging after every winter.
