U.S. State Department: "Despite the Brutal Violence" of the Islamic Republic, the People of Iran Courageously Act for Their Rights

On Tuesday, January 15, the U.S. State Department stated on the ninth day of anti-government protests: "Today marks the ninth consecutive day of protests in cities across Iran. Despite the brutal violence and ruthless repression, Iranians continue to stand bravely and resolutely for their rights. Their perseverance in the face of fear is a powerful cry for justice and freedom against a regime that rules through oppression." On Tuesday, various markets in Tehran, including the "Grand Bazaar," "Sepahsalar," and "Chiragh Bargh," lit the fire of protests on the ninth day of nationwide demonstrations in Iran, with shopkeepers and citizens chanting against the regime of Ali Khamenei. Various residential areas of the capital also witnessed protest gatherings. Different cities in Iran, including Sanandaj and Islamabad in Kermanshah, Yasuj, Shazand, Sari, Shahriar, Fardis, and Behbahan, were scenes of protests where people chanted slogans against the Islamic Republic. In Yazdanshahr, families of detained protesters gathered in front of the judiciary in Najafabad, giving the judiciary a 24-hour ultimatum to release their children, or they would all take to the streets. In Kermanshah, a funeral was held for two brothers who were killed during recent protests by direct gunfire from the Islamic Republic's suppressive forces. Ali Khamenei, the regime's leader, had previously threatened protesters. The two brothers, Rasoul and Reza Kadiourian, were 17 and 20 years old, respectively, and both worked as laborers. One of the brothers was killed on Saturday and the other on Sunday by suppressive forces. Universities also witnessed protests following the same pattern of the past nine days, with nighttime gatherings inside university campuses and dormitories, alongside the nationwide protests, where students chanted slogans against Khamenei and his regime. Among these universities were "Alzahra" in Tehran, "Shiraz," "Hormozgan," "Science and Industry," and "Birjand." The Persian page of the U.S. State Department on X also published a video of the raid by Khamenei's suppressive forces on a hospital in Ilam to arrest protesters, stating: "The raid on wards, beating medical staff, and attacking the injured with tear gas and live ammunition is a blatant crime against humanity. Hospitals are not battlefields. These actions of the Islamic Republic regime are a gross violation of international law and demonstrate a regime that acts with complete disregard for human life." The Israeli publication "Jerusalem Post" also reported that Israel is considering whether the ousting of Nicolás Maduro would make action against the Islamic Republic possible.