Iran protests: Khamenei warns of ‘regional war’ as regime reels from EU terror designation

2026-02-01 - 23:16

The nationwide uprising against the religious dictatorship in Iran has pushed the regime into a corner, forcing its highest officials to issue desperate threats. On Sunday, February 1, 2026, the regime’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei broke his silence regarding mounting international pressure and military threats, warning of a “regional war.” Meanwhile, the regime is in a state of panic following the European Union’s official designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. From the halls of the regime’s parliament to the Friday prayer sermons, officials are lashing out, blaming the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) for their isolation. Despite the threats, the people of Iran continue to honor their martyrs, with large crowds attending the burial of a tortured youth in Tehran. Report Roundup: Khamenei’s threats, IRGC blacklisting fallout, and suspicious student deaths On Sunday, February 1, the confrontation between the Iranian people and the regime intensified alongside international developments. Key highlights include: Khamenei’s Regional Threat: In a speech marking the start of the “Ten Days of Agony” (anniversary of the 1979 revolution), Ali Khamenei downplayed US military threats but warned that any conflict would result in a “regional war.” Regime Panic over EU Listing: Following the EU’s decision to blacklist the IRGC, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf threatened to label European armies as terrorists. Sadeq Larijani, head of the Expediency Discernment Council, explicitly blamed the PMOI for the EU’s decision. Martyr Buried after Torture: Taha Soleimani, a 19-year-old protester who disappeared for 20 days, was buried in Behesht-e Zahra. His body showed clear signs of torture from the notorious Kahrizak detention center. Suspicious Student Deaths: Two medical students at Tehran University of Medical Sciences were found dead in their dormitory under suspicious circumstances, raising fears of targeted elimination by security forces. Germany Predicts Regime Collapse: German Chancellor Merz stated that the regime’s days are “numbered,” emphasizing that a government relying solely on terror has no future. Khamenei threatens ‘regional war’ in reaction to US pressures On Sunday, February 1, Ali Khamenei addressed a gathering to mark the anniversary of the 1979 revolution. Visibly concerned by the escalating international pressure, the regime’s Supreme Leader reacted to recent statements by US officials regarding military options. Trying to project strength to his demoralized forces, Khamenei claimed that the phrase “all options are on the table” is not new. “They have always said this... The Iranian nation should not be scared by these words,” he said. However, revealing his fear of the consequences, he resorted to bluffing about the regime’s destructive capabilities, stating, “Americans should know that if they start a war this time, it will be a regional war.” Hysteria in Tehran following EU’s blacklisting of the IRGC The European Union’s decision on January 29 to officially list the IRGC as a terrorist organization has triggered a wave of angry reactions from the regime’s top officials. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, in a threatening tone, announced that the regime would retaliate by classifying European armies as terrorist groups under the regime’s “counter-measure law.” In a theatrical display of loyalty to the supreme leader’s suppression machine, several MPs attended the parliament session wearing IRGC uniforms. Sadeq Amoli Larijani, the head of the Expediency Discernment Council, issued a statement blaming the Iranian Resistance for this major diplomatic blow. He stated that European politicians, “in unison with the [PMOI], have called one of the official forces of the Islamic Republic terrorists.” The government of Masoud Pezeshkian and the Qom Seminary Scholars (Jame’eh Modarresin) also issued statements condemning the move, further proving that the entire regime is united in its fear of international accountability. Taha Soleimani buried with signs of torture The regime’s brutality continues to claim the lives of Iran’s youth. Taha Soleimani, a 19-year-old who went missing on January 9, was finally returned to his family on January 29. His body, bearing severe signs of torture, was transferred from the infamous Kahrizak detention center. He was laid to rest in Behesht-e Zahra cemetery. During the ceremony, Taha’s uncle addressed the mourners, calling his nephew a “lion boy” and asking the crowd to applaud his bravery. Separately, in Khorramabad, the funeral was held for 16-year-old Mohammad Hossein Parnoun. The teenage kickboxing champion was shot and killed by regime agents on January 9. Suspicious deaths of medical students in Tehran Reports indicate the suspicious and simultaneous deaths of two medical students, Farhad Salari and Erfan Taherkhani, at a dormitory of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The two young men, who entered the university in 2021, were found dead in their room. Student activists believe these deaths are linked to the intensified suppression of university students, particularly following recent protests mourning Aida Heidari. While official details remain vague, the timing and context suggest foul play by regime operatives to spread fear among the student body. January 31—Mashhad, northeast Iran A group of students at Ferdowsi University held protest rally after the suspicious death of students and refused to attend exams.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/TXXT7pExlU — People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) February 1, 2026 International Condemnation: Germany sees regime’s end, Amnesty warns of torture International support for the Iranian people’s uprising is growing stronger. In a press conference, German Chancellor Merz expressed his conviction that the regime is nearing its collapse. “A regime that can only keep itself in power with brute force and terror against its own population, its days are counted,” Merz said, adding that he assumes “we are currently seeing the last days and weeks of this regime.” Meanwhile, Amnesty International issued an urgent warning on January 30 regarding the thousands of people arbitrarily detained since the protests began in late December. The human rights organization highlighted that detainees are at severe risk of torture, sexual violence, and the death penalty, noting that the judiciary has ordered prosecutors to act “without leniency.”