Iran Protests Updates: US 'stands by’ Iranian people, says Vance as protesters torch govt buildings

In a violent turn of events, a government building was set ablaze in the eastern part of Tehran. Video circulating on social media shows the structure up in flames as people cheer and chant anti-government slogans.

Apart from US President Donald Trump and his administration, who have threatened the Iranian regime with “hell” if protestors are killed, heads of state from other countries have also shown solidarity to the demonstrators.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Sweden hears the voices of protestors and backs their “brave struggle for freedom.”

“The Iranian people are rising once again against the oppression. We hear their voices and we support their brave struggle for freedom. The self-evident demands for freedom and a better future can never in the long run be silenced with violence and oppression,” he posted on X.

Meanwhile, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever praised Iranians who continue to “stand firm on the path to freedom.”

“Courageous Iranians are standing up for freedom after years of repression and economic hardship. They deserve our full support. Silencing them through violence is unacceptable,” Belgian PM said.

Reza Pahlavi is likely to meet US President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago next week, according to journalist Laura Loomer. While there is no official confirmation of the meeting yet, Trump and Pahlavi will meet at the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast.

Trump has backed protestors in Iran once again, saying that there would be consequences for the regime if it killed any protestors.

Talking about whether he would meet the exiled prince Pahlavi, Trump said, “Well, I’ve watched him, and he seems like a nice person, but I’m not sure that it would be appropriate at this point to do that as President. I think that we should let everybody go out there and see who emerges. I’m not sure necessarily that it would be an appropriate thing to do.”

As the massive anti-government protests take over Iran, some demonstrators have been calling for the return of the Shahs in the West Asian nation. Iran has plunged into a nationwide protest as the country’s economy takes a major hit. What has been garnering attention of the world is the fact that some of the protesters appeared to be heeding a call by exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.

A video circulating on social media shows the building of the Islamic Republic’s state broadcaster (IRIB) in Isfahan on fire after protests turned violent late on Thursday.

A building of the Islamic Republic's state broadcaster (IRIB) in Isfahan, central Iran, was set on fire on Thursday evening, according to videos circulating on social media. pic.twitter.com/xQKuY8woN8

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) January 8, 2026

US Vice President JD Vance has come forward in support of Iranian protestors, in the same rhetoric as his boss, Donald Trump, who has threatened the regime with consequences if demonstrators are hurt.

While addressing media at the White House, VP Vance said that the United States would stand by the citizens of Iran, and when asked if the US would take part if Israel decides to strike the nuclear sites in Iran, the US Vice President said that the United States would stand by anybody who is engaged in peaceful protests and that the “smartest thing” for Iran to have negotiations with the United States on its nuclear programme.

US President Donald Trump has told Fox News that Washington is “ready to hit back hard” if Iran hurts protestors, adding that the regime “could collapse” if the current condition prevails.

He said, “In the past, they started shooting the hell out of people, and all of a sudden, people without any weapons are standing there, [getting] gunned down, or they (authorities) take them to prisons and hang them. If they do that, we will hit them very hard.”

President Trump warns the Iranian regime could collapse amid protests, vowing the U.S. is ready to hit back hard if Tehran turns its guns on unarmed civilians: pic.twitter.com/UNLnK5MINM

— Sean Hannity 🇺🇸 (@seanhannity) January 9, 2026

The US State Department has backed the Iranian protestors in a post on X, saying that their “courage in demanding rights is admirable.”

“To the people of Iran: Your courage in demanding your rights is admirable, and we stand in solidarity with you,” the department said in a statement.

ایرانیان در تهران، مانند بسیاری دیگر از شهرهای سراسر ایران، به خیابان‌ها ریخته‌اند و برای حقوق و آرزوهای خود ایستاده‌اند.

به مردم ایران: شجاعت شما در مطالبه حقوق تان قابل تحسین است و ما در همبستگی با شما ایستاده‌ایم.#تهران #ایران #اعتراضات_ایران #مردم_ایران pic.twitter.com/Di5syUzsaj

— USAbehFarsi (@USABehFarsi) January 9, 2026

The protests in Iran grew after Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s late Shah, toppled in the 1979 Islamic Revolution, called in a video post on X on Wednesday for more protests.

Here’s what Pahlavi said:

Great nation of Iran, the eyes of the world are upon you. Take to the streets and, as a united front, shout your demands. I warn the Islamic Republic, its leader, and the IRGC that the world and @POTUS are closely watching you. Suppression of the people will not go unanswered. https://t.co/keyFFounaX

— Reza Pahlavi (@PahlaviReza) January 8, 2026

Iranian security forces have killed at least 45 protesters, including eight minors, in a crackdown on demonstrations that began in late December, the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights has said.

The group said that Wednesday was the bloodiest day of the protests that entered its 12th day today. “The evidence shows that the scope of the crackdown is becoming more violent and more extensive every day,” said IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, adding that hundreds more have been wounded and over 2,000 arrested.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to take severe action against Iran if its authorities “start killing people” who are protesting in the country, where an economic crisis has led to mounting civil unrest.

“I have let them know that if they start killing people, which they tend to do during their riots — they have lots of riots — if they do it, we are going to hit them very hard,” Trump said during an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt.

Local media and official statements have reported at least 21 people, including security forces, have died since the unrest began in late December.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has asked security forces to practice ‘utmost restraint’ in handling demonstrations against the rising cost of living, which have lasted for 12 days and in which clashes have been reported in several locations nationwide.

“Any violent or coercive behaviour should be avoided,” said Pezeshkian in a statement on his website, urging “utmost restraint” as well as “dialogue, engagement and listening to the people’s demands”.

A nationwide internet blackout was reported in Iran on Thursday, internet monitoring group NetBlocks said.