Run Over in Iran: Iranian Towns Rise Against Regime, Overwhelm the Military
The people of Iran are overwhelming the regime’s military forces with sheer math, in numbers actively forcing the regime’s armed mercenaries into retreat. On January 6, 2026, in the small towns of Malekshahi and Abdanan, the Iranian people overwhelmed the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and special repressive units in a decisive show of defiance. Large crowds of courageous citizens and rebellious youths took control of streets, confronting the IRGC directly.
Alireza Jafarzadeh, Deputy Director of NCRI, Shahin Gobadi, member of NCRI Parliament in Exile, and NCRI’s Ali Safavi are available for interviews to discuss the potential of reaching the Iranian people’s breaking point.
In Abdanan, the IRGC attempted to retaliate, but they were so disoriented by popular resistance that they took cover atop the police station while the people set fire to regime-owned property, including the Ofogh Kourosh chain store. The regime, terrified by the rapidly spreading revolt, cut electricity to the city in a futile attempt to stem the uprising.
In Malekshahi, grief and rage over the killings of January 3 and 4 galvanized a massive crowd during the funeral procession of martyr Fares (Mohsen) Agha Mohammadi. The people, chanting vengeance for their slain brothers, engaged special units in combat. Many regime forces were killed or wounded, and the remainder fled, leaving parts of the city effectively liberated. Even state-owned infrastructure, like banks, became targets of popular defiance, signaling that the people are asserting control not just over streets but over the symbols of the regime itself. Eyewitnesses reported slogans of “Death to Khamenei” echoing throughout liberated areas, underscoring the regime’s deepening isolation.
These events illustrate a critical turning point: Iran’s military apparatus, already stretched thin across multiple towns, is proving unable to maintain control over the people. The combination of numerical popular strength, tactical boldness, and sheer resolve has demoralized the IRGC and exposed the vulnerabilities of the clerical regime. By forcing retreats in Malekshahi and Abdanan, the people have sent a clear message: the regime cannot rely on its mercenary forces to suppress the nation.
The NCRI urges the international community to recognize these towns as symbols of Iran’s unstoppable resistance. The people are emboldened, the military is demoralized, and the regime’s days of coercion are numbered. This grassroots uprising demonstrates that the revolution is not only alive—it is winning in the streets, town by town.
Speakers Available:
Alireza Jafarzadeh – Deputy Director of NCRI
Shahin Gobadi – Member of NCRI Parliament in Exile
Ali Safavi – Member of NCRI Parliament in Exile
Other Speakers Available:
Shirin Nariman – Former Political Prisoner in Iran
Seena Saedian – Iranian American Law Student
Dr. Ramesh Sepehrrad – Iranian American
Dr. Kazem Kazerounian – Iranian American
Related Article(s)
Optional Q&A
- Why were small towns like Malekshahi and Abdanan able to overwhelm the IRGC despite the regime’s superior firepower
- What does the retreat of special units in these towns signal about the morale of Iran’s military forces
- How are ordinary citizens and rebellious youths organizing to challenge the regime so effectively
- What impact do these victories have on the overall strength and credibility of the clerical regime
- Why has the regime resorted to cutting electricity and declaring martial law in response to popular uprisings
- How do these town-level victories inspire other cities and communities across Iran to resist
- What does the widespread chanting of “Death to Khamenei” reveal about the depth of public anger
- How is the NCRI supporting or coordinating with local populations to sustain these gains against the IRGC
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)
Nationwide Uprising- No. 25
Iran: Cities of Malekshahi and Abdanan Fall to the People as Repressive Forces Flee Clashes with Rebellious Youth
• Hit-and-run clashes continue in Murmuri, Ilam, as de facto martial law is declared in Marlik.
On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, the flames of the uprising blazed in various cities across the country, terrifying the decrepit clerical regime. In Abdanan (Ilam province), the city has been effectively taken over by the people and rebellious youths. Large crowds control the streets. When the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) attempted to attack the people, rebellious youths confronted them, setting fire to the Ofogh Kourosh chain store, which is owned by the IRGC. Unable to resist, the mercenaries and repressive forces cowardly took refuge on the roof of the police station. The regime, fearing the spread of the uprising, has cut off the city’s electricity.
In Malekshahi, Ilam, a very large crowd participated in the funeral procession for the martyr Fares (Mohsen) Agha Mohammadi. The people, angered by the killings on January 3 and 4 in Malekshahi and Ilam, chanted, ‘I will kill, I will kill the one who killed my brother.’ In clashes between the people and the special units, a number of special unit members were killed or wounded, and the remaining forces fled. During these clashes, a state-owned bank was set on fire.
The slogan ‘Death to Khamenei’ is heard everywhere. Eyewitnesses reported that the special forces have fled and parts of the city have been liberated. The IRGC’s Fars news agency announced this afternoon that Third Lieutenant Ehsan Aghajani, a member of the Ilam provincial police’s repressive forces, was killed in clashes with the people a few hours ago.
In Tehran, the atmosphere in central areas, including Haft-e Tir, Ferdowsi, and Valiasr squares, is tense and under a heavy security presence, with a massive deployment of repressive forces and the use of ambulances to transport personnel.
In Marlik, Karaj, the regime has created an atmosphere resembling martial law with an unprecedented deployment of forces and armored vehicles. In Shahr-e Kord, a brave girl single-handedly stood in front of a water cannon, defying the mercenaries. In Firoozabad, Fars province, the regime arrested 50 youths out of fear of the uprising.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)
January 6, 2026
ABOUT ALIREZA JAFARZADEH…
Alireza Jafarzadeh serves as the Deputy Director of the Washington Office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). He is also the author of The Iran Threat (Palgrave MacMillan, New York, 2008).
A recognized expert on Iranian policy, Jafarzadeh has been at the forefront of efforts to prevent the Iranian regime from acquiring nuclear weapons. His groundbreaking work in 2002 and 2003 led to the discovery of key illicit nuclear sites in Iran, including the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, the Arak heavy water plant, the Kalaye Electric centrifuge testing facility near Tehran, and the Lashkar Ab’ad laser enrichment facility. These revelations prompted the first-ever inspections of Iranian nuclear sites by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Jafarzadeh is a frequent guest on major television and radio networks, including CBS Evening News, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, CNBC, Bloomberg TV, and France 24. His insights have also been featured in leading publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Time, and The Hill.
ABOUT SHAHIN GOBADI…
Shahin Gobadi, a U.S.-educated nuclear engineer, is a member of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), Iran’s Parliament-in-Exile.
An astute observer of Iranian affairs for over three decades, Gobadi is an expert on topics including Iranian state-sponsored terrorism, proxy groups in the Middle East, the Iranian nuclear and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs, Western policy toward Iran, and internal Iranian affairs.
He has been interviewed by major international media outlets, including CNN, Fox News, BBC, Sky TV, GB News, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Times, The Daily Telegraph, Reuters, and the Associated Press. Gobadi’s writings have appeared in prominent media across the U.S. and Europe.
ABOUT SHIRIN NARIMAN…
Shirin Nariman is a former political prisoner from Iran, human rights advocate, and entrepreneur.
At just 15 years old, during the 1979 Iranian Revolution, she became involved in pro-democracy activities and supported the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI). Less than two years later, she was arrested for her activism—becoming one of the youngest political prisoners of her time and enduring severe torture in Evin Prison. Her case drew international attention and intervention from the Red Cross.
During her imprisonment, Shirin witnessed the regime’s brutality firsthand, including the executions of children, elderly women, and pregnant prisoners. After her release, she eventually sought refuge in the United States, where she has dedicated her life to advocating for human rights, women’s rights, and a free, democratic, non-nuclear Iran.
Shirin holds a bachelor’s degree in management information systems and has worked with leading wireless and financial corporations.
ABOUT ALI SAFAVI…
Ali Safavi is a member of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), Iran’s Parliament-in-Exile.
A sociologist by training, Safavi studied and taught at UCLA, California State University Los Angeles, and the University of Michigan. He was an active participant in the anti-Shah student movement in the 1970s in the United States and has been deeply engaged in Iranian affairs ever since.
Safavi has lectured and written extensively on Iran, Iraq, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and Middle Eastern politics. He has appeared in interviews on networks such as CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, CBS, BBC, Sky TV, Newsmax, and France 24. His articles and commentary have been published in leading outlets, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Hill, The Boston Herald, The Washington Times, and The Financial Times.
This material is distributed by Special Guests Publicity LLC on behalf of National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) / Media Strategy Consulting LTD. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.
CONTACT: For further details or to arrange the interview, please contact Jerry McGlothlin at 919-437-0001 / Bookings@SpecialGuests.com
