Day 23 of Iran Uprising: Regime parliament speaker admits to ‘urban war’ and thousands of deaths

2026-01-25 - 21:06

The nationwide uprising against the religious dictatorship in Iran has reached its twenty-third day on Monday, January 19, 2026. The regime’s own officials admitted to losing control. In the regime’s parliament, the speaker explicitly acknowledged that an “urban war” is underway. Simultaneously, the regime faced a humiliating diplomatic blow as the World Economic Forum in Davos rescinded its invitation to the regime’s Foreign Minister due to the ongoing crackdown. Despite the brutality and a twelve-day internet blackout, the Iranian people remain defiant in the streets. Day 23 Roundup: Ghalibaf admits to “urban war,” Araghchi kicked out of Davos, PMOI martyr identified On Monday, January 19, 2026, the twenty-third day of the uprising marked a significant shift in the regime’s narrative, moving from denial to an admission of a full-scale crisis. Key highlights from today include: Parliament Speaker Admits “Urban War”: Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the regime’s parliament, admitted in an open session that the country is facing “urban warfare” and armed attacks, acknowledging the death of “several thousand people” and injuries to suppressive forces. Davos Disinvites Araghchi: The World Economic Forum (WEF) canceled the invitation of the regime’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, stating that his presence would not be “right” given the “tragic loss of lives of civilians.” PMOI Martyr in Mashhad: The PMOI announced the martyrdom of Abbasali Ramezani, a 74-year-old former political prisoner and PMOI member, who was shot by regime forces in Mashhad. Clashes in Khoy and Eslamshahr: Rebellious youths in Khoy set fire to the district governor’s building and a Basij center. In Eslamshahr, youths attacked a police station and disarmed mercenaries. Armed Conflict in Kermanshah: In Sarpol-e Zahab, the Qalkhani tribe broke a regime siege, engaging in armed conflict with suppressive agents. Internet Blackout: NetBlocks confirmed that the internet blackout has entered its twelfth day, with connectivity remaining minimal as the regime attempts to stifle information flow. European Support: The EPP Group in the European Parliament issued a strong condemnation of the crackdown, expressing solidarity with the Iranian people’s demand for freedom. PMOI honors martyr Abbasali Ramezani, 74, killed in Mashhad The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) paid tribute today to Abbasali Ramezani, a 74-year-old veteran member of the resistance who gave his life for freedom. Abbasali was shot and killed by regime forces in Vakilabad Boulevard, Mashhad, during the nationwide uprising. https://twitter.com/en_simayazadi/status/2013022584300802492 A longtime political prisoner, Abbasali had spent decades enduring imprisonment and torture for his support of the PMOI, dating back to the early years after the 1979 revolution. He was imprisoned repeatedly in 1989, 1997, the 2010s, and during the 2022 uprising. Most recently, he was released conditionally in July 2024 due to heart illness but immediately returned to the streets to stand with the protesters. In a recorded clip, he famously declared, “Ready, ready, ready—for the uprising and overthrow.” His martyrdom highlights that the desire for regime change spans all generations in Iran. Intense clashes in Khoy, Eslamshahr, and Kermanshah According to the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), rebellious youths have intensified their attacks on the regime’s suppression apparatus over the last 48 hours. Khoy: In response to indiscriminate shootings by security forces, rebellious youths engaged in street battles on Saturday night. They set fire to the district governor’s building and a center belonging to the suppressive Basij forces. The chants of “I will kill the one who killed my brother” echoed through the city. Eslamshahr: Brave youths clashed with the regime’s special units, attacking the Ghaemiyeh police station and successfully disarming mercenaries who were firing on the people. Kermanshah & Sarpol-e Zahab: In a significant escalation, the courageous people of the Qalkhani tribe in the village of ‘Aineh-vand’ broke a regime siege. During an armed conflict, they retaliated against agents and disarmed several government forces. In Kermanshah city, a Basij agent identified as Morteza Heshmati was killed during clashes with residents. Youths report “accumulated anger” and continued resistance despite blackout Messages received from rebellious youths across Iran paint a picture of a volatile society that has passed the point of no return. NetBlocks reports that the internet blackout has now spanned its twelfth day, with national connectivity remaining minimal. Update: With the #Iran internet blackout now spanning its twelfth day, metrics show that national connectivity remains minimal. In recent days, the filternet has occasionally allowed messages through, suggesting that the regime is testing a more heavily filtered intranet. pic.twitter.com/LoQxasz6Jy — NetBlocks (@netblocks) January 19, 2026 Despite this digital blockade, reports have trickled out: Tehran: Clashes and anti-regime chants were reported in Valiasr Street and Tehranpars during the night. City: A youth message states that living conditions have become unbearable, saying, “One can neither study nor think about the future.” Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari: A woman reported that due to the bloodshed, the society cannot return to the status quo, and protests will inevitably resume. Isfahan & Karaj: Reports indicate a heavy security atmosphere with significant casualties in Isfahan, and the arrest of medical staff in Karaj who were treating wounded protesters. Regime Parliament Speaker admits to “urban war” and thousands of deaths In a rare and desperate admission of the scale of the uprising, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the regime’s Parliament (Majlis), acknowledged today that the regime is fighting a “urban war.” Speaking on Monday, January 19, Ghalibaf confessed that in recent days, “urban warfare, armed attacks, and the killing of several thousand people” have occurred. He also admitted that Basij and police forces have suffered casualties during the clashes. Attempting to deflect from the root causes of the uprising—decades of corruption and suppression—Ghalibaf echoed the regime’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, blaming the “intervention of the US President.” He claimed that the US President had “ordered the killing” and invited “terrorists and rioters” to continue the chaos. Ghalibaf also desperately tried to bolster the regime’s morale by praising Khamenei as the “life of the Iranian nation,” a statement that starkly contrasts with the slogans of “Death to Khamenei” echoing across the country. Diplomatic isolation: Davos slams door on regime’s Foreign Minister The Iranian Foreign Minister will not be attending Davos. Although he was invited last fall, the tragic loss of lives of civilians in Iran over the past few weeks means that it is not right for the Iranian government to be represented at Davos this year. pic.twitter.com/NRjbqAoqe9 — World Economic Forum (@wef) January 19, 2026 The international community is beginning to react to the atrocities committed by the mullahs. The World Economic Forum (WEF) confirmed on Monday that the regime’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, will not be attending the Davos summit in Switzerland. According to the WEF, although Araghchi was invited last fall, he has been disinvited due to the “tragic loss of lives of civilians in Iran over the past few weeks.” The organizers stated it would not be “right for the Iranian government to be represented at Davos this year.” Rights groups had pressured the forum to disinvite him because of the massacre in Iran. This rejection underscores the growing global isolation of the religious dictatorship.