| 2026 Rasht massacre | |
|---|---|
| Part of 2025–2026 Iranian protests, 2026 Iran massacres | |
| Location | Rasht, Iran |
| Date | 8 January 2026 – 9 January 2026 |
Attack type | Massacre, mass shooting |
| Deaths | 392–3,000+ |
| Perpetrator | Security forces of the Islamic Republic |
The Rasht massacre took place on 8 and 9 January 2026 in the historic bazaar of Rasht, Iran, carried out by the forces of the Islamic Republic with the aim of suppressing the anti-government protests which began in December 2025. [1]
The protests of December 2025 in Iran began on 7 December 2025, following widespread dissatisfaction with the Islamic Republic's government and the intensification of the economic crisis in Iran. Initially, these protests were sparked by discontent over inflation, rising food prices, and the sharp devaluation of the Iranian rial, but they quickly transformed into a widespread movement calling for the end of the current regime. [2]
These protests, which initially began with the participation of traders and market vendors in Tehran, soon spread to universities and involved large numbers of students from across the country. Protesters expressed their dissatisfaction with the government through anti-government slogans, as well as slogans supporting the monarchy, clearly voicing their political demands for broader reforms. [3] [4] This movement quickly became the largest wave of unrest in Iran since the 2022–2023 protests following the killing of Mahsa Amini. [5] [6] [7]
The protests, which initially centred around traders in the Grand Bazaar of Tehran, quickly spread to major cities such as Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad, Qom, Bandar Abbas, Ferdows, and Bojnord. [8] [5] In response to these developments, the Islamic Republic used violent repression tactics. [8]
Analyses of the massacre included that of The Washington Post , which based its analysis on 40 photos and videos and statements by six witnesses and residents. [9]
On 8 and 9 January 2026, as the nationwide anti-government protests reached their peak, the city of Rasht became the site of one of the most violent security crackdowns. From the late hours of 8 January, security forces deployed extensively in the central areas of the city, particularly around Rasht Bazaar, Sabezeh Meydan, and the municipal area, to disperse the protest gatherings. According to reports and eyewitness accounts, in addition to firing tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition, government forces set parts of the market and surrounding areas on fire in some locations, which caused the fire to spread and thick smoke to rise, creating suffocating conditions for the protesters. It is reported that several citizens were trapped in the closed spaces of the bazaar and, while escape routes were either blocked or limited, they were targeted by direct gunfire. Furthermore, they were deprived of the ability to transfer the wounded freely to medical centers. [10] [11] [12] Protesters who tried to flee from the scene of the fire were shot by security forces. [9] Forces also blocked fire trucks from responding to the fire. [9] According to the HRANA, at least 392 people were killed in Rasht, the vast majority of them since the beginning of the 2026 Internet blackout in Iran on 8 January. [9] Iran International reported that some witnesses suggested the death toll may have been as high as 3,000 over the two day-period. [13]
As the crackdown intensified, global internet access in Rasht and several other parts of the country was widely cut off. According to an eyewitness, around 5 pm on 8 January the internet was disconnected in Rasht, and about 30 to 40 minutes later, phone communications were also cut off, making both phone calls and text messages impossible. This action severely disrupted citizens' connections to the outside world and minimized their ability to share real-time images and information about the events. By the end of these two days, multiple reports emerged of protesters being killed and injured, as well as widespread arrests of citizens. This series of events turned Rasht into one of the most prominent symbols of the deadly repression of the December 2025 protests. [10]