METRANSPARENT EXCLUSIVE
The demonstrations that started late December 2025 in the Bazaar in Tehran have grown to a full blown uprising. Initially the demonstrations that started in Tehran were picked up, mainly In Iran’s western provinces like Ilam, Fars, Lorestan and Kermanshah.
During the first days of January 2026 the demonstrations slowly grew, and the Iranian leadership was almost incapacitated. Multiple ministers and presidential advisors offered their resignations, but PEZESHKIAN did not accept them. During the days rumors are circulating that PEZESHKIAN himself offered his resignation.
Reza PAHLAVI asked the Iranian to come out on 8 January at 8 PM for a countrywide demonstration against the Islamic Republic. Millions went to street and the regime took action by closing down the internet and cell phones. Followed on 9 January by cutting off landlines as well. Also, on 9 January the regime cut of the lights in the street in an attempt to stop protests. On 10 January cut off access to banks and shut down all ATMs in country.
The demonstrations of 8 January were a showdown between the Iranian people and the regime. Reports from inside hospitals in Tehran indicate that hundreds of people were killed when IRGC Ground Forces and Basij opened fire on demonstrators. The people did not stop and Basij, Riot Police and IRGC Ground Forces retreated.
On 9 January the mayor of Tehran stated that more than 25 banks, 25 mosques and numerous government buildings were burned down by the people the night before. Mosques are not only for religious purposes in Iran, but often also are used by the Basij. Reports from Tehran indicate that Basij forces were firing on demonstrators from the rooftops of mosques. In a response mosques were torched, motorcycles (of the Basij) burned, and fire trucks prevented from responding. Close to twenty heavy fire trucks were burned in Tehran.
After his public appearance in Tehran, Supreme Leader, Ali KHAMENEI was extracted by his security team and brought to Tabas, in South Khorasan Province, where he was placed in a secure underground facility. During the first months of the Mahsa Amini IRGC leadership was preparing to extract their families from Safe Houses in the vicinity of Tehran to an IRGC controlled compound in Georgia (there are still two flights daily from Teheran to Tbilisi). It is assessed that the IRGC leadership still has this compound.
Tourist visas for France!
Planes are still flying from Imam Khomeini International Airport to Istanbul, Dubai, Tbilisi, Yerevan and China. Most foreign airlines have cancelled their flight to and from Iran and all flights on 10 January out the country were Iranian companies. It was reported that family members of IRGC generals had requested tourist visas for France, and that some of them were granted. Le Figaro daily claimed that that the family of Mohammad Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran’s parliament, had requested tourist visas!
The uprising inside Iran might actually be multiple uprisings and coup attempts at the same time. There is no doubt that people are fed up with the Islamic Regime and just want to get rid of it. In uprisings before there was less participation of intellectuals and workers unions. Now all speak out against the Islamic Regime. Prior to this round of demonstrations/uprising Reza PAHLAVI and his movement was not that active. Even during the 12-Day War the Pahlavi movement was not that strong and seemed to be taken off guard.
The Mujahedeen-e Khalq (MeK) is very silent this time and it is clear that the organization which is controlled by Neocons is told to stay silent. The people in Iran don’t like the MeK and see them as tools of foreign governments, which is basically true. Prior to the 12-Day War the MeK was very active on Telegram, leaking classified documents, since the 12-Day War that dried up. The MeK’s HQ in Tirana also told to quiet down.
From the ongoing operations in Iran, it is clear that foreign actors are active. These actors might be helping with the organization of protests, and targetting. It is clear that Israeli, US and British actors are on the ground in Iran. It is most likely that US regime change groups funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and International Republican Institute (IRI) have trained groups of Iranians in secure communications, operational security and other mobilization techniques.
Like in other color revolutions there are indications that the same actors are helping. Trucks with bricks are seen dumping those bricks at strategic places up for grasp for protestors. This was also seen in the US during the George FLOYD demonstrations in 2020. Demonstrators in Esfahan and Shiraz burned down the offices of the national broadcaster, something needed to gain superiority in the information space.
Roads and highways were blockaded with burning tires to prevent people to leave or reach certain places. Groups in Iran were also instructed through video’s on how to act when were to be arrested. The video instructed what people should say when interrogated like:
An interesting text was placed on Telegram: “If you are a political, military or economic official in the Islamic Republic and would like to safely leave the country and distance yourself from the regime, contact the following ID on Telegram: “AdamN987.”
