HomeWorldIran warns protesters who joined 'riots' to surrender

Iran warns protesters who joined 'riots' to surrender

The scale of the crackdown has emerged piecemeal as Iran remains under an unprecedented internet shutdown that is now in its 11th day.

January 19, 2026 / 23:59 IST
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The United Nations on Monday warned the country was using executions as "a tool of state intimidation".
The United Nations on Monday warned the country was using executions as "a tool of state intimidation".
Snapshot AI
  • Iran's police gave protesters 3 days to surrender or face harsh punishment
  • UN warns Iran is using executions to intimidate protesters
  • Internet blackout hampers reporting; over 3,400 protesters confirmed dead

Iran's top police officer issued an ultimatum on Monday to protesters who joined what authorities have deemed "riots", saying they must hand themselves in within three days or face the full force of the law.

But the government also pledged to tackle economic hardships that sparked the demonstrations, which were met with a crackdown that rights groups say has left thousands dead.

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The protests constituted the biggest challenge to the Iranian leadership in years, with the full scale of the violence yet to emerge amid an internet blackout.

National police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan on Monday urged young people "deceived" into joining the "riots" to turn themselves in and receive lighter punishment.