Protesters gathered along a highway in northeastern Iran chanting slogans as fires burned around them, videos posted to social media on Saturday (January 10) showed, amid a wave of anti-government demonstrations sweeping across the country.

The protesters were heard chanting "Pahlavi will return" and "Long live the King", in reference to Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last shah, who has emerged as a prominent voice in the fragmented opposition.

Reuters was able to confirm the location of the videos by the road signboard, trees, buildings, and overbridge which matched satellite and file imagery of the area. The date could not be independently verified but several corroborating videos, also uploaded on January 10, showed similar scenes along Vakil Abad highway in Mashhad.

Iran's authorities indicated on Saturday they could intensify their crackdown on the biggest anti-government demonstrations in years, with the Revolutionary Guards blaming unrest on terrorists and vowing to safeguard the governing system.

Protests have spread across Iran since December 28, beginning in response to soaring inflation, and quickly turning political with protesters demanding an end to clerical rule. Authorities accuse the U.S. and Israel of fomenting unrest.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene in recent days and warned Iran’s rulers against using force against demonstrators. On Saturday, Trump said the U.S. stands “ready to help”.

Israel has not signaled a desire to intervene in Iran as protests grip the country, with tensions between the two arch-foes high over Israeli concerns about Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

MASHHAD, RAZAVI KHORASAN PROVINCE, IRAN (RELEASED JANUARY 10, 2026) (SOCIAL MEDIA - No archive / No resale / News use only) (NIGHT SHOTS)

1. CROWD OF PROTESTERS GATHERED, FIRES BURNING

2. CROWD OF PROTESTERS GATHERED AND CHANTING (Farsi): "Pahlavi will return" AND "Long live the King"