Iran Protests Live Updates: US ‘stands by’ Iranian people, says Vance as protesters torch govt buildings

January 9, 2026, 11:07:04 (IST)

Iranian state media broke its silence over the demonstrations that swept the country overnight, alleging “terrorist agents” of the US and Israel set fires and sparked violence.

It said in its daily morning briefing that the violence resulted in casualties and saw “people’s private cars, motorcycles, public places such as the metro, fire trucks and buses set on fire.”

January 9, 2026, 10:38:23 (IST)

In a violent turn of events, a government building was set ablaze in the eastern part of Tehran. Video circulating on social media shows the structure up in flames as people cheer and chant anti-government slogans.

January 9, 2026, 10:15:56 (IST)

Apart from US President Donald Trump and his administration, who have threatened the Iranian regime with “hell” if protestors are killed, heads of state from other countries have also shown solidarity to the demonstrators.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Sweden hears the voices of protestors and backs their “brave struggle for freedom.”

“The Iranian people are rising once again against the oppression. We hear their voices and we support their brave struggle for freedom. The self-evident demands for freedom and a better future can never in the long run be silenced with violence and oppression,” he posted on X.

Meanwhile, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever praised Iranians who continue to “stand firm on the path to freedom.”

“Courageous Iranians are standing up for freedom after years of repression and economic hardship. They deserve our full support. Silencing them through violence is unacceptable,” Belgian PM said.

January 9, 2026, 09:38:55 (IST)

Reza Pahlavi is likely to meet US President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago next week, according to journalist Laura Loomer. While there is no official confirmation of the meeting yet, Trump and Pahlavi will meet at the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast.

Trump has backed protestors in Iran once again, saying that there would be consequences for the regime if it killed any protestors.

Talking about whether he would meet the exiled prince Pahlavi, Trump said, “Well, I’ve watched him, and he seems like a nice person, but I’m not sure that it would be appropriate at this point to do that as President. I think that we should let everybody go out there and see who emerges. I’m not sure necessarily that it would be an appropriate thing to do.”

January 9, 2026, 09:17:58 (IST)

As the massive anti-government protests take over Iran, some demonstrators have been calling for the return of the Shahs in the West Asian nation. Iran has plunged into a nationwide protest as the country’s economy takes a major hit. What has been garnering attention of the world is the fact that some of the protesters appeared to be heeding a call by exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.

Read more

January 9, 2026, 09:03:17 (IST)

A video circulating on social media shows the building of the Islamic Republic’s state broadcaster (IRIB) in Isfahan on fire after protests turned violent late on Thursday.

A building of the Islamic Republic’s state broadcaster (IRIB) in Isfahan, central Iran, was set on fire on Thursday evening, according to videos circulating on social media. pic.twitter.com/xQKuY8woN8

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) January 8, 2026

January 9, 2026, 08:44:54 (IST)

US Vice President JD Vance has come forward in support of Iranian protestors, in the same rhetoric as his boss, Donald Trump, who has threatened the regime with consequences if demonstrators are hurt.

While addressing media at the White House, VP Vance said that the United States would stand by the citizens of Iran, and when asked if the US would take part if Israel decides to strike the nuclear sites in Iran, the US Vice President said that the United States would stand by anybody who is engaged in peaceful protests and that the “smartest thing” for Iran to have negotiations with the United States on its nuclear programme.

January 9, 2026, 08:24:03 (IST)

US President Donald Trump has told Fox News that Washington is “ready to hit back hard” if Iran hurts protestors, adding that the regime “could collapse” if the current condition prevails.

He said, “In the past, they started shooting the hell out of people, and all of a sudden, people without any weapons are standing there, [getting] gunned down, or they (authorities) take them to prisons and hang them. If they do that, we will hit them very hard.”

President Trump warns the Iranian regime could collapse amid protests, vowing the U.S. is ready to hit back hard if Tehran turns its guns on unarmed civilians: pic.twitter.com/UNLnK5MINM

— Sean Hannity 🇺🇸 (@seanhannity) January 9, 2026

January 9, 2026, 08:14:07 (IST)

The US State Department has backed the Iranian protestors in a post on X, saying that their “courage in demanding rights is admirable.”

“To the people of Iran: Your courage in demanding your rights is admirable, and we stand in solidarity with you,” the department said in a statement.

— USAbehFarsi (@USABehFarsi) January 9, 2026

January 9, 2026, 08:10:31 (IST)

Th