Two More Lives Lost in Brutal Crackdown
As the Iranian uprising continues into 2026, state security forces have killed two more protest participants, including a Resistance Units commander and a young supporter of the PMOI, highlighting the escalating violence against demonstrators.
Veteran Resistance Commander Fatally Shot
Dr. Naeem Abdollahi, a 34-year-old Resistance Unit commander with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), was shot dead by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces on January 8 in Tehran’s Naziabad district. Abdollahi, an assistant professor of political science at Tehran University and a Juris Doctor degree holder, had been actively involved in past protests and was expelled from his academic position for organizing student activism.
Iran Uprising | PMOI Martyr #NaimAbdollahi, 34
Tehran University professor, PhD in law & politics, Resistance Unit commander
Shot dead by regime in Naziabad, Tehran – Jan 8, 2026
Life is small — death is eternal when for freedom
We honor you, Cdr.
SEE MORE https://t.co/V85NPtRKuG pic.twitter.com/KtICyHAoCR— Iranian Academic Experts (@ExpertsIranian) January 30, 2026
Youth Targeted in Golestan Province
In a separate incident on January 6 in Azadshahr, Golestan Province, 18-year-old Mohammad Bahrami was killed by regime agents. According to reports from resistance supporters, Bahrami was attacked with knives and machetes and then shot, underscoring the severe tactics used by security forces against young Iranians participating in the nationwide unrest.
Protests Sparked by Economic and Political Grievances
The unrest began in late December 2025 after protests over the collapse of the Iranian rial and rising living costs quickly morphed into broad demands for political change and regime accountability. The government’s response has been marked by a harsh crackdown, communication blackouts, and widespread reports of fatalities among civilians.
Legacy of Sacrifice
Naeem Abdollahi and Mohammad Bahrami join a growing list of individuals killed during the protests, which resistance groups claim have resulted in thousands of deaths since the movement’s resurgence. Their deaths are being framed by opposition supporters as emblematic of both the regime’s repression and the protesters’ determination.