Armed militias fire heavy machine guns through Tehran streets in deadly night attacks

Fox News - WorldCenter-RightEN 3 min read 100% complete by Emma BusseyJanuary 21, 2026 at 03:06 AM

AI Summary

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Heavily armed militias were deployed in Tehran, Iran, on Tuesday amid ongoing nationwide protests. Video footage showed masked fighters in armored vehicles with mounted heavy machine guns patrolling the streets and firing weapons. According to the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the militias are linked to Lebanese Hezbollah and Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and are being used by the Iranian regime to maintain control. The militias are reportedly guarding government buildings and state media sites. The deployment occurred as the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported a continued communications blackout and a rising number of deaths, injuries, and arrests related to the protests.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

United States 40% UN 40% Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) ×250% National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) 60% Iraq 60% Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) ×270% Iran ×370% Ali Safavi ×370% Lebanese Hezbollah ×270% Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) ×270% Tehran ×390%

Keywords

armed militias 90% tehran 80% heavy machine guns 80% street battles 70% security forces 70% foreign proxy forces 60% protests 60% iraqi popular mobilization forces 50% lebanese hezbollah 50% iranian regime 50%