Reza H. Akbari
@rezahakbari.bsky.social
PhD Candidate AU History - Program Manager IWPR MENA - IMES at GWU Alumnus - Iranian-American - Suffering Buffalo Bills fan - inforezaakbari@gmail.com
Pinned
In my latest essay on protests in #Iran, I examine the emotional toll of a bloody massacre, the shortcomings of the policy of confrontation adopted by the monarchist opposition, & the shrinking space for moderation. open.substack.com/pub/guardedd...
A thread of some of my key arguments: 1/17
A thread of some of my key arguments: 1/17
The Pezeshkian admin. has released an official list of those killed in the #IranProtests, according to official gov. data. The document includes the first name, last name, father’s name, & national ID number of 2,986 victims. 131 bodies remain unidentified. www.khabaronline.ir/news/2176465... #Iran
فهرست دولت پزشکیان از اسامی جانباختگان رخدادهای دی ماه ۱۴۰۴ + اسامی و کدملی
فهرست دولت پزشکیان از اسامی جانباختگان رخدادهای دی ماه ۱۴۰۴ منتشر شد.
www.khabaronline.ir
February 2, 2026 at 4:03 PM
The Pezeshkian admin. has released an official list of those killed in the #IranProtests, according to official gov. data. The document includes the first name, last name, father’s name, & national ID number of 2,986 victims. 131 bodies remain unidentified. www.khabaronline.ir/news/2176465... #Iran
Reposted by Reza H. Akbari
The powerful front page of the reformist newspaper Sazandegi features the names of 3,000 individuals who, according to government reports, were killed during the protests in Iran. #Iran #IranProtests2026
February 1, 2026 at 11:28 PM
The powerful front page of the reformist newspaper Sazandegi features the names of 3,000 individuals who, according to government reports, were killed during the protests in Iran. #Iran #IranProtests2026
Reposted by Reza H. Akbari
Very powerful indeed.
The powerful front page of the reformist newspaper Sazandegi features the names of 3,000 individuals who, according to government reports, were killed during the protests in Iran. #Iran #IranProtests2026
February 1, 2026 at 11:51 PM
Very powerful indeed.
The powerful front page of the reformist newspaper Sazandegi features the names of 3,000 individuals who, according to government reports, were killed during the protests in Iran. #Iran #IranProtests2026
February 1, 2026 at 11:28 PM
The powerful front page of the reformist newspaper Sazandegi features the names of 3,000 individuals who, according to government reports, were killed during the protests in Iran. #Iran #IranProtests2026
Reposted by Reza H. Akbari
In my latest essay on protests in #Iran, I examine the emotional toll of a bloody massacre, the shortcomings of the policy of confrontation adopted by the monarchist opposition, & the shrinking space for moderation. open.substack.com/pub/guardedd...
A thread of some of my key arguments: 1/17
A thread of some of my key arguments: 1/17
January 30, 2026 at 1:39 PM
In my latest essay on protests in #Iran, I examine the emotional toll of a bloody massacre, the shortcomings of the policy of confrontation adopted by the monarchist opposition, & the shrinking space for moderation. open.substack.com/pub/guardedd...
A thread of some of my key arguments: 1/17
A thread of some of my key arguments: 1/17
In my latest essay on protests in #Iran, I examine the emotional toll of a bloody massacre, the shortcomings of the policy of confrontation adopted by the monarchist opposition, & the shrinking space for moderation. open.substack.com/pub/guardedd...
A thread of some of my key arguments: 1/17
A thread of some of my key arguments: 1/17
January 30, 2026 at 1:39 PM
In my latest essay on protests in #Iran, I examine the emotional toll of a bloody massacre, the shortcomings of the policy of confrontation adopted by the monarchist opposition, & the shrinking space for moderation. open.substack.com/pub/guardedd...
A thread of some of my key arguments: 1/17
A thread of some of my key arguments: 1/17
Reposted by Reza H. Akbari
In my latest essay on protests in #Iran I examine post-protest sociopolitical dynamics inside the country, the emotional toll of a bloody massacre, the shortcomings of the confrontational approach embraced by monarchist opposition factions, & the rapidly shrinking space for moderation. #IranProtests
A Massacre and the Myth of a Revolution
Grief, Uncertainty, and Disappearing Moderation in Post-Protest Iran
guardeddomains.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 2:26 PM
In my latest essay on protests in #Iran I examine post-protest sociopolitical dynamics inside the country, the emotional toll of a bloody massacre, the shortcomings of the confrontational approach embraced by monarchist opposition factions, & the rapidly shrinking space for moderation. #IranProtests
In my latest essay on protests in #Iran I examine post-protest sociopolitical dynamics inside the country, the emotional toll of a bloody massacre, the shortcomings of the confrontational approach embraced by monarchist opposition factions, & the rapidly shrinking space for moderation. #IranProtests
A Massacre and the Myth of a Revolution
Grief, Uncertainty, and Disappearing Moderation in Post-Protest Iran
guardeddomains.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 2:26 PM
In my latest essay on protests in #Iran I examine post-protest sociopolitical dynamics inside the country, the emotional toll of a bloody massacre, the shortcomings of the confrontational approach embraced by monarchist opposition factions, & the rapidly shrinking space for moderation. #IranProtests
According to aggregated data compiled by HRANA, the number of confirmed deaths has reached 5,002, while the number of fatalities still under investigation is 9,787. In addition, at least 7,391 people have suffered serious injuries during the #IranProtests. www.en-hrana.org/day-twenty-s... #Iran
Day Twenty-Six of the Protests: Government Commits Violence, Denies Responsibility, and Continues Mass Arrests - Hrana
HRANA – On the twenty-sixth day of nationwide protests, according to aggregated data compiled by HRANA, the number of confirmed fatalities has reached 5,002, while the number of deaths still under inv...
www.en-hrana.org
January 23, 2026 at 4:05 PM
According to aggregated data compiled by HRANA, the number of confirmed deaths has reached 5,002, while the number of fatalities still under investigation is 9,787. In addition, at least 7,391 people have suffered serious injuries during the #IranProtests. www.en-hrana.org/day-twenty-s... #Iran
A well-thought-out and level-headed take on the tumultuous situation in #Iran, the role of the Iranian diaspora, and the potential for political transition in the country. A must-read by Siamak Namazi. mei.edu/commentary/i... #IranProtests
Iran’s coming reckoning: Regime collapse is likely — democracy is not - Middle East Institute
mei.edu
January 22, 2026 at 2:55 PM
A well-thought-out and level-headed take on the tumultuous situation in #Iran, the role of the Iranian diaspora, and the potential for political transition in the country. A must-read by Siamak Namazi. mei.edu/commentary/i... #IranProtests
As of January 18, 3,919 people have been killed amid #IranProtests and 8,949 additional deaths are still under investigation. www.en-hrana.org/day-twenty-t... #Iran
Ongoing thread of the names, images, and brief bios of Iranian civilians killed during January 2026 #IranProtests:
January 20, 2026 at 5:48 PM
As of January 18, 3,919 people have been killed amid #IranProtests and 8,949 additional deaths are still under investigation. www.en-hrana.org/day-twenty-t... #Iran
The bloody massacre that took place in #Iran amid the most recent protests should be treated as an indisputable fact. More than likely for years to come, scholars will debate about the culprits, the exact numbers, and the ramifications of the crackdown. 1/2 #IranProtests
January 19, 2026 at 4:44 PM
The bloody massacre that took place in #Iran amid the most recent protests should be treated as an indisputable fact. More than likely for years to come, scholars will debate about the culprits, the exact numbers, and the ramifications of the crackdown. 1/2 #IranProtests
This one is too relatable.
January 14, 2026 at 11:26 PM
This one is too relatable.
Given the stakes, I believe it's fair to ask anyone advocating for U.S. involvement on behalf of #IranProtesters to be explicit about their demands. What kind of support? Are you calling for diplomatic pressure, material aid, military strikes, more sanctions, or something else entirely? #Iran
January 14, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Given the stakes, I believe it's fair to ask anyone advocating for U.S. involvement on behalf of #IranProtesters to be explicit about their demands. What kind of support? Are you calling for diplomatic pressure, material aid, military strikes, more sanctions, or something else entirely? #Iran
Reposted by Reza H. Akbari
Eternal Sunshine of the Bomb Iran Mind - my new piece in Foreign Policy lays out why the likely impeding US attack on Iran is unlikely to help its protestors and likely to make things worse. With a paywall free link
abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io/eternal-suns...
abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io/eternal-suns...
Eternal Sunshine of the Bomb Iran Mind
All signs point to an imminent American bombing attack on Iran, ostensibly in support of protestors challenging the regime. Such a military intervention in search of regime change has long been a fant...
abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io
January 14, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Eternal Sunshine of the Bomb Iran Mind - my new piece in Foreign Policy lays out why the likely impeding US attack on Iran is unlikely to help its protestors and likely to make things worse. With a paywall free link
abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io/eternal-suns...
abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io/eternal-suns...
A good short NPR Morning Edition interview with an #IranProtests eyewitness. npr.org/2026/01/14/n... #Iran
Johns Hopkins professor on his recent visit to Iran amid anti-government protests
NPR's Steve Inskeep asks Youseph Yazdi, a professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, about his recent visit to Iran, where thousands have been killed in anti-government protests.
npr.org
January 14, 2026 at 2:49 PM
A good short NPR Morning Edition interview with an #IranProtests eyewitness. npr.org/2026/01/14/n... #Iran
Reposted by Reza H. Akbari
Very important thread for anyone covering or sharing news out of Iran right now, and honestly, for anyone covering anywhere ever, but especially when there's this much violence.
Context, plurality, and clear caveats should not be treated as optional features of a news interview segment. They are essential safeguards against narratives that can be weaponized with real-world consequences. 6/6
January 13, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Very important thread for anyone covering or sharing news out of Iran right now, and honestly, for anyone covering anywhere ever, but especially when there's this much violence.
Western English-speaking media has yet to figure out how to responsibly cover news from pluralistic societies such as #Iran. A guest is often invited and asked what they are hearing from inside the country, or what they heard prior to their last communication. 1/6 #IranProtests
January 13, 2026 at 7:43 PM
Western English-speaking media has yet to figure out how to responsibly cover news from pluralistic societies such as #Iran. A guest is often invited and asked what they are hearing from inside the country, or what they heard prior to their last communication. 1/6 #IranProtests
"Eyewitnesses say gov. forces have begun opening fire, apparently with automatic weapons and at times seemingly indiscriminately, on unarmed protesters. Hospital workers say protesters [...] arrive with gunshot wounds and skull fractures." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/13/w... #Iran #IranProtests
‘Shoot to Kill’: Accounts of Brutal Crackdown Emerge From Iran
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:48 PM
"Eyewitnesses say gov. forces have begun opening fire, apparently with automatic weapons and at times seemingly indiscriminately, on unarmed protesters. Hospital workers say protesters [...] arrive with gunshot wounds and skull fractures." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/13/w... #Iran #IranProtests
It’s very difficult to independently verify numbers, and as indicated by similar events in the past, the total may always remain contested, but videos coming out of Tehran’s Kahrizak Forensic Center tell signs of a bloody massacre with thousands killed across the country. #Iran #IranProtests
January 13, 2026 at 4:32 PM
It’s very difficult to independently verify numbers, and as indicated by similar events in the past, the total may always remain contested, but videos coming out of Tehran’s Kahrizak Forensic Center tell signs of a bloody massacre with thousands killed across the country. #Iran #IranProtests
"Take over your institutions [...] help is on its way," Trump tells Iranians. #Iran #IranProtests
January 13, 2026 at 3:31 PM
"Take over your institutions [...] help is on its way," Trump tells Iranians. #Iran #IranProtests
Reposted by Reza H. Akbari
I am glad Reza is doing this. But unfortunately this will be a very very long thread. (Yet more evidence that in the past 125 years Tehran loves to devour its periphery)
Ongoing thread of the names, images, and brief bios of Iranian civilians killed during January 2026 #IranProtests:
January 12, 2026 at 10:26 PM
I am glad Reza is doing this. But unfortunately this will be a very very long thread. (Yet more evidence that in the past 125 years Tehran loves to devour its periphery)
So let me get this straight. To “support” the Iranian people, Trump wants to strangle an entire country, which includes everyone living there, whether connected to the IRGC or other state entities or completely unaffiliated. 1/2 #Iran
January 12, 2026 at 10:24 PM
So let me get this straight. To “support” the Iranian people, Trump wants to strangle an entire country, which includes everyone living there, whether connected to the IRGC or other state entities or completely unaffiliated. 1/2 #Iran
Ongoing thread of the names, images, and brief bios of Iranian civilians killed during January 2026 #IranProtests:
January 12, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Ongoing thread of the names, images, and brief bios of Iranian civilians killed during January 2026 #IranProtests: