Tehran on fire as furious protesters ‘burn Iranian regime building down’ | World | News
The Iranian regime continues to struggle to contain the protests in the Middle Eastern country, 12 days since they first started. On Thursday, January 8, several new clips emerged on social media, seemingly showing protesters taking to the streets despite fears of a crackdown.
In one of the clips, a structure described by journalist Amirhossein Miresmaeili as a “government building” could be seen engulfed by fire. Several people could be seen chanting “Long live the Shah” and clapping their hands as the scene unfolded. Recirculating a video he said to have received, the journalist said: “What an extraordinary crowd! Received from Haft Hoz Tehran, just now on 18 Dey; people, along with the chant ‘Long live the Shah’, are witnessing the burning of a government building.
“The sender said: ‘Tonight, the people of Tehran have taken to the streets in response to the prince’s million-strong call.'”
The wave of unrest began late last month over mounting frustration with the Iranian regime and its handling of the economic crisis.
Shopkeepers and university students have taken to the streets following a sharp fall in the value of the national currency, the rial. In 2025, it sunk to a record low, while inflation hit 40% amid sanctions over the country’s nuclear programme.
According to the Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA), at least 34 protesters and four security personnel have been killed and 2,200 protesters have been arrested.
Donald Trump responded to this by saying he would hit Iran “very hard” “if they start killing people”.
He told radio host Hugh Hewitt: “I have let them know that if they start killing people, which they tend to do during their riots… We’re going to hit them very hard.”
Mr Hewitt pointed out that some deaths were caused by stampedes, to which the US president responded: “I’m not sure I can necessarily hold somebody responsible for that.
“But… They’ve been told very strongly — even more strongly than I’m speaking to you right now — that if they do that, they’re going to have to pay hell.”
He then delivered a message to the protestors: “You should feel strongly about freedom… You’re brave people. It’s a shame what’s happened to your country. Your country was a great country.”
