Iran’s Karaj In Flames: Youth Lead Resistance Amid Uprising – OpEd

Reports obtained from Iran’s nationwide uprising reveal a society determined to overthrow the religious dictatorship. New field reports obtained from the city of Karaj, a major hub west of Tehran, detail two weeks of intense confrontations in early January 2026. These reports confirm that the rebellious youth have moved beyond static protests to direct confrontations with the regime’s apparatus of suppression, culminating in the conquest of police stations and government centers.

From economic grievances to regime change

The current wave of protests, which erupted on December 28, 2025, quickly expanded geographically to hundreds of locations and shifted socially to include universities and wider strike activity. As crowds grew, slogans rapidly transitioned from livelihood grievances to explicit anti-regime rhetoric targeting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, signaling a transition to a full-scale revolution.

During these protests, the city of Karaj has been a flashpoint of resistance. On January 1, 2026, despite a heavy security atmosphere, demonstrations ignited in Gohardasht. Regime thugs brutally attacked protesting women, beating them, but were met with fierce resistance from the brave women of Karaj. This sparked widespread clashes with mercenaries across the district.

By January 2, the protests intensified into night skirmishes. In the darkness of Molasadra and Motahari streets, people gathered to chant “Death to Khamenei, Death to the Dictator!” The regime’s forces responded with direct fire, engaging in hit-and-run battles with the youth.

Targeting the eyes of the regime

As the uprising continued, the rebellious youth began systematically targeting the regime’s surveillance and suppression infrastructure. On January 8, in Vilashahr, youth set fire to a Basij base. In response, the regime cut electricity to the streets to provide cover for their mercenaries, who opened wild fire on the population.

On January 9, protesters in Karaj destroyed 360-degree surveillance cameras used by the regime to identify and track dissidents. In Fardis, crowds chanted the defining slogan of this era: “Basiji, IRGC, you are our ISIS!” defying the heavily armed Revolutionary Guards.

Conquest of Police Station 43

The confrontation reached its peak between January 10 and January 11. On the night of January 10, demonstrators in the Haddadi district set fire to the Zone 1 Municipality building.

The following day, January 11, marked a significant victory for the resistance in the Kianmehr district. Rebellious youth launched a heroic offensive against Police Station 43, conquering the facility and setting it ablaze. As the symbols of the regime’s authority burned, the air filled with chants of “Death to Khamenei” and “Disgrace, disgrace,” directed at the fleeing repressive forces. Simultaneously, in the Banafsheh district, the people chanted, “By the end of the week, Seyyed Ali [Khamenei] is gone!”

Undeclared martial law and the price of freedom

By mid-January, the regime, terrified of losing control, established an undeclared martial law in Karaj. On January 13, during night rallies in Golshahr, security forces opened direct fire, killing and wounding several protesters. In retaliation, youth in Fardis set fire to the regime’s City Council building.

Despite the crackdown and the sound of sniper fire echoing through the alleys on January 14 and 15, the brave people of Karaj continued their resistance using urban guerilla tactics. The events in Karaj demonstrate that the Iranian people have passed the point of no return.