Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Friday, January 9, 2026
From the Liveblog of
Friday, January 9, 2026
Thousands join anti-government protests in Iranian cities of Mashhad and Tehran
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleThousands have reportedly taken to the streets in the city of Mashhad in northeast Iran, as protests against the government intensify. Mashhad is the hometown of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
An eyewitness tells Iran International that large crowds of protesters have also sprung up in the capital city of Tehran.
10 pm in Iran
???? For the 2nd night in a row, massive crowds are marching in Mashhad—the 2nd-largest city in Iran & Khamenei’s hometown.
Witnesses say neither the beginning nor the end of the crowd is visible to the naked eye.
pic.twitter.com/mB2HGUFW2b— Navid Mohebbi نوید محبی (@navidmohebbi) January 9, 2026
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