WANA (Jan 19) – Between January 8 and 10, 1404, Iran faced one of the most extensive and organized terrorist operations in its modern history; attacks that targeted urban infrastructure, government offices, banks, relief equipment, educational centers, and cultural heritage, and, according to officials, left heavy economic and human consequences.

 

Initial estimates show that municipal property and urban services in various cities alone suffered about 3 trillion tomans in damage. This includes the destruction of urban equipment, public transportation fleets, and service buildings. In the commercial sector, 364 large stores in 30 provinces of the country were destroyed and set on fire.

 

The financial and energy systems also suffered serious damage:

 

  • Banks: More than 2,100 billion tomans in direct damage, including the destruction of branches, fires in buildings, and damage to electronic equipment.

 

  • ATMs: About 1,400 machines were out of service.

 

  • Electricity industry: Destruction and disruption of the distribution network and substations, with damage exceeding 1000 billion tomans.

 

One of the most significant parts of this operation was the targeting of relief systems. Seyed Sajjad Razavi, Deputy Minister of the Health Ministry, announced:

“About 180 ambulances and 50 emergency technicians have been damaged and injured in recent incidents.”

A bus burned during Iranian protests is displayed on a street in Tehran, Iran, January 16, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Several medical centers in some provinces have also been damaged. The Ministry of Health emphasized that all the injured were treated without a deductible in accordance with the minister’s order, and in cases where fees were charged before the order, the funds were returned.

 

The head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society’s Relief and Rescue Organization announced that one Red Crescent member was killed and more than 25 Red Crescent members were injured in these incidents.

 

Meanwhile, Tehran Governor Mohammad Sadegh Motamedi reported that: About 31 residential units and 40 commercial units were damaged.

 

A total of 1,000 private cars, 54 ambulances, and 71 fire engines were destroyed.

 

In Mashhad, the damage to infrastructure was estimated at approximately 2,000 billion tomans. According to the mayor of Mashhad, the attacks were intended to “disrupt municipal services.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi meets with Foreign ambassadors in Tehran, Iran, January 12, 2026. Iranian Foreign Ministry/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

 

 

During these terrorist acts, damage was inflicted on Iran’s education and culture sectors. According to the reported statistics, 35 educational centers and 250 schools were impacted.

 

  • About 300 mosques and 90 seminaries were targeted.

 

  • 3 large libraries and 8 cultural heritage sites were seriously damaged.

 

Iran blames these attacks not only on domestic factors but also on foreign actors. The Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran stated clearly: “The US President himself intervened in this sedition, threatened and encouraged the seditionists… We hold the US President guilty; for the casualties, damages and slander he inflicted on the Iranian nation.”

 

In this regard, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said: “Foreign interference and provocation are absolutely evident. The coincidence of the US threat with these attacks is a clear sign of the US and Israeli security collusion with the leaders of the rioters to destabilize Iran and the entire region.”

Cars burn in a street during the protests erupt over the collapse of the currency’s value in Tehran, Iran, January 8, 2026. Stringer/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

The head of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Parliament, Azizi, announced that more than 3,700 people have been injured, and more than 2,221 vehicles belonging to the security forces have been damaged.

 

Azizi also emphasized that no negotiations with the US are possible under these circumstances, and cyberspace has been temporarily restricted due to the misuse and management of the riots.

 

The numbers are not just numbers; they indicate a security and economic strategy against Iran, which, from the perspective of officials, was designed outside the borders. Iran blames these attacks not only on domestic factors but also on foreign actors.

 

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran stated clearly: “The US President himself interfered in this sedition, threatened and encouraged the seditionists… We hold the US President guilty; for the casualties, damages and slander he inflicted on the Iranian nation.”

 

 

In this regard, Abbas Araghchi, Deputy Foreign Minister, said: “Foreign interference and provocation are absolutely evident. The coincidence of the US threat with these attacks is a clear sign of the security collusion of the US and Israel with the leaders of the rioters to destabilize Iran and the entire region.”

 

More important than the numbers is Iran’s analysis of the events: Tehran says the main goal of this operation was to weaken public trust, create chaos and bring state institutions to their knees. From the authorities’ perspective, this is the same policy of combined pressure designed by foreign enemies and its consequences go beyond financial damage to threatening national and social security.

People walk in Tehran Grand Bazaar in Tehran, Iran, January 15, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

In response to this operation, the Iranian judiciary announced that all financial damages will be recovered from the rioters and terrorist perpetrators, and that the cases will be pursued with “deterrent and decisive measures.”

 

The government and local authorities have commenced compensating affected individuals for their losses. Those impacted can submit their documents to receive compensation.

 

This series of events, along with the damage statistics and Iran’s official response, paints the picture of a full-scale terrorist operation: a war in which not only the streets but also the economy, aid, education, and culture are targeted, and Tehran is now trying to maintain its deterrent power and respond appropriately to foreign interventions through a combination of internal control, compensation, and diplomatic pressure.

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