Why are Iranian Citizens Protesting the IRGC?
From December 28, 2025, to February 2026, anti-IRGC protests sparked across 200 cities in Iran to protest the IRGC, as it has caused human rights abuses, state repression, and strict clerical rule.
Since December 28, 2025, 30,000 to 40,000 Iranian civilians have been killed for protesting the IRGC by the Basij militia, FARAJA, and members of the IRGC.
They utilized live ammunition, snipers, and mass detentions to stop the demonstrations and kill their citizens.
They became motivated by the threat of violence due to their eagerness to maintain control of their people, silencing fundamental rights, dignity, and accountability.
Historically, the regime has been portrayed as protecting the Islamic Republic’s ideologies, but has responded to protests as threats, leading to mass violence.
By January 13, 2026, at least 12,000 protesters had been killed, with the death toll rising to 16,500 by January 19, 2026.
The sheer loss of life has called for global intervention against the IRGC and has led to a loss of public confidence in the Iranian government.
Furthermore, the root causes of the protests are longstanding grievances such as economic crisis, lack of freedoms, and anger at the IRGC's control over both the economy and politics.
For example, the IRGC rejects freedom of speech, protest, and the press, as censorship is common and mass violence ensues during protests.
As of today, the United States and Israel have conducted an operation to kill Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, suppressing the IRGC.
For decades, his regime has brought significant unrest to Iran’s streets, as instability and violence have mounted.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What triggered the protests?
Economic collapse and political grievances have triggered the IRGC protests. Demonstrations initially began over soaring inflation, plummeting currency values, and economic distress. The protests then expanded into broad demands to end decades of clerical repression and dismantle the existing political system.
2) What was the international reaction to the protests?
Human rights groups like Amnesty International condemned the killing of 30,000 innocent civilians, as they characterized the crackdown as one of the deadliest periods of state repression.
Source: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2026/01/what-happened-at-the-protests-in-iran/
3) When did Supreme Leader Ayatollah Alli Khamenei die?
Khamenei died on February 28, 2026.
Why it matters
The current war’s objective is to repress the IRGC and reshape the country’s political landscape.
Sources
- Global Coalition of 30 NGOs Demands UN Emergency Action to Stop Mass Killings of Iranian Protesters, January, 13, 2026
- History Is Watching: Iran, the UN, and Global Inaction
- UN Watch Welcomes UN Session on Iran -- But Slams Deadly Delay as Protesters Keep Dying
- Open Source Intel X Post, January 18, 2026
- Open Source Intel X Post, January 19, 2026
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