Iranian state media has released video footage it claims shows armed protesters opening fire on security forces in the western city of Kermanshah, as nationwide demonstrations continue to challenge the Islamic Republic’s grip on power. The video, aired by state broadcaster IRIB and dated January 9, 2026, depicts nighttime scenes of gunfire exchanges, with shadowy figures and visible muzzle flashes along city streets.

According to regime-linked outlets, the footage is presented as evidence that protesters have taken up arms against Iranian security forces. Officials cite the video as justification for intensifying security operations, particularly in Kurdish-majority regions such as Kermanshah, which have long been treated with suspicion by Tehran.

However, independent human rights organizations dispute the regime’s narrative. Amnesty International and other monitoring groups report no verified evidence that protesters are armed, raising serious questions about the authenticity and intent of the footage. Analysts warn the video may represent staged or selectively edited propaganda designed to portray demonstrators as violent insurgents rather than civilians protesting economic collapse and political repression.

The protests erupted following the sharp collapse of Iran’s currency on December 28, 2025, which triggered soaring prices, shortages, and public outrage. Since then, demonstrations have spread to at least 190 cities across the country, despite aggressive internet shutdowns and communications blackouts imposed by the regime. Observers describe the unrest as the most significant nationwide challenge to Iran’s leadership in years.

Human rights groups estimate that security forces have killed at least 2,000 people since January 8 alone, as authorities respond with live ammunition, mass arrests, and military-style deployments. The release of the Kermanshah footage appears timed to bolster the regime’s claim that it is facing an armed uprising rather than a popular revolt.

The United Nations and multiple international bodies have called on Tehran to restore internet access and allow independent verification of events on the ground. As information remains tightly controlled, state media footage continues to play a central role in shaping the regime’s justification for escalating force.

Whether authentic or manipulated, the video underscores the widening gap between Iran’s official narrative and reports from human rights organizations, as the regime struggles to contain protests fueled by economic collapse, political frustration, and years of accumulated public anger.