Iranians in Tehran on Thursday (January 15) braced for a response by U.S. President Donald Trump following weeks of deadly protests.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene on behalf of protesters in Iran, where the clerical establishment has cracked down hard on nationwide unrest since December 28.

People inside the country, reached by Reuters on Wednesday (January 14) and Thursday, said the protests appear to have abated since Monday (January 12). Information flows have been hampered by an internet blackout for a week.

The protests began two weeks ago as demonstrations against dire economic conditions and rapidly escalated. Iran and its Western foes have both described the unrest as the most violent since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that installed Iran's system of clerical rule.

U.S.-based HRANA rights group said it has so far verified the deaths of 2,435 protesters and 153 government-affiliated individuals since unrest started.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

TEHRAN, IRAN (JANUARY 15, 2026) (WANA - No use BBC Persian. No use VOA Persian. No use Manoto. No use Iran International. No use Radio Farda)

1. VARIOUS OF VALIASR SQUARE WITH BANNER IN BACKGROUND

2. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ON STREETS

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) TEHRAN CITIZEN, ABOLFAZI (LAST NAME NOT GIVEN), SAYING:

“Mr Trump speaks a lot, and he seeks to make the Iranian people kneel. This is a mistake. We will stand up to him with all our ability.”

4. PEOPLE WALKING ON STREET

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) TEHRAN CITIZEN, ABOLFAZI (LAST NAME NOT GIVEN), SAYING:

“I think the possibility of it (Trump attacking Iran) is high, because he is not mentally stable, and the advisers he has are in majority Jewish lobbies, because they only talk on behalf of Israel”

6. CARS DRIVING ON ROAD

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) LOCAL RESIDENT, MOHAMMAD HAERI, SAYING:

“Well, the situation in the bazaar has slightly improved, people come to shop a bit more, but generally the whole cost of living situation for people is weak, especially in shopping, but thankfully the security situation is improving, people come out to shop a bit more .”

8. PEOPLE WALKING ON STREETS

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) LOCAL RESIDENT, MOHAMMAD HAERI, SAYING:

“We gave them (U.S.) a firm response last time, I don't think they dare to attack again.”

10. MARKETS ON STREET AS PEOPLE WALK PAST

11. ENTRANCE TO GRAND BAZAAR OF TEHRAN

12. PEOPLE WALKING INSIDE BAZAAR WITH CLOSED STALLS

13. PADLOCKS ON STORE OF BAZAAR