Iran in Uprising: Courage, Crackdown, and Calls for Compassion

In this episode, we take a sobering look at the nationwide protests that have now reached every province of Iran, which have been met with a severe government crackdown that has by some reports led to as many as 12,000 citizens already losing their lives. We consider the background, personal stories from protesters, reports of human rights abuses, and international reactions, and highlight where our intentions and prayers may be most needed. We honour the courage and beautiful examples of humanity being shown by so many in such terrifying circumstances. Please join us in our collective prayer and intention holding. Prayers and intentions start at 22 minutes 30 seconds. Suggested Intention Focus for this week This week, as we reflect on the observation of one Iranian that “the people of Iran do not want war…they long for peace…but what can be done when the government refuses to step down and must be removed by external force?”, we suggest holding as our main intention: We will that the people of Iran will collectively receive wisdom to know how to act in the interest of both their own and their country’s highest good. Please join us in holding this. Chapter Markers: 00:00:00            Introduction 00:02:16            Background 00:05:39            Understanding the Economic Crisis 00:09:13            Voices from the Protests 00:13:58            Government’s Response to the Unrest 00:18:52            International Reactions to the Crisis 00:22:30            Intentions and Prayers Sources referenced in this episode: https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/iran-news-in-brief-news/iran-news-in-brief-january-7-2026/   https://dawnmena.org/irans-current-uprising-and-the-collapse-of-ideological-legitimacy/   https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/world/middleeast/iran-protests-inflation-currency.html https://www.iranintl.com/en/202601061682   https://www.euronews.com/business/2025/12/31/empty-tables-sanctions-battered-currency-why-irans-protests-are-different-this-time https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/08/middleeast/how-irans-protests-spread-intl    https://eaworldview.com/2026/01/protesters-in-iran/     https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-protest-kurd-khamenei/33641405.html         https://news.sky.com/story/inside-irans-protests-gunfire-hospital-raids-and-growing-anger-13491629  https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/irans-new-wave-protests-prompt-hospital-raids-internet-129020839   https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/01/08/iran-authorities-renewed-cycle-of-protest-bloodshed https://en.radiozamaneh.com/37636/  https://iranhumanrights.org/2026/01/iranian-authorities-intensify-crackdown-on-protests-with-live-fire-arbitrary-arrests-and-attacks-on-hospitals/                 https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/01/iran-deaths-injuries-authorities-protest-bloodshed/        https://www.euronews.com/2026/01/08/mass-protests-erupt-in-irans-capital-after-exiled-princes-call-internet-shut-off-nationwid  https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/01/07/iran-s-regime-faces-combined-pressure-from-street-protests-israel-and-us_6749189_4.html   https://www.iranintl.com/en/202601078628 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/iran-condemns-us-interference-in-its-internal-affairs-amid-protests/3792955  https://www.cfr.org/expert-brief/unpacking-irans-protests-and-trumps-threats https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/ncri-statements/statement-human-rights/irans-regime-executes-15-prisoners-on-january-6-and-7-2026/ https://iranhumanrights.org/2022/12/iran-protests-detained-university-students-subjected-to-sexual-assault-disappearances/  https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/03/iran-child-detainees-subjected-to-flogging-electric-shocks-and-sexual-violence-in-brutal-protest-crackdown/  https://dissentmagazine.org/online_articles/women-life-freedom-iran-uprising-origins/  https://www.iranintl.com/en/202211291895    https://www.erudit.org/en/journals/atlantis/2023-v44-n2-atlantis09104/1109372ar.pdf https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/09/iran-deadly-crackdown-on-protests-against-mahsa-aminis-death-in-custody-needs-urgent-global-action/ https://www.dissentmagazine.org/online_articles/women-life-freedom-iran-uprising-origins/ https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/09/what-happened-to-mahsa-zhina-amini/ https://www.vidc.org/en/detail/women-life-freedom-a-new-revolutionary-era-in-iran https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/6/protests-grow-as-irans-government-makes-meager-offer-amid-tanking-economy https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20260108-security-forces-attack-hospital-protests-western-iran   https://persecution.org/2023/01/27/iranian-christians-persevere-under-intense-persecution/ https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-rulers-face-legitimacy-crisis-amid-spreading-unrest-2026-01-09/ https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/01/06/iranian-authorities-brutally-repressing-protests https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/1/9/street-protests-grow-in-iran-as-the-country-faces-an-internet-blackout https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20260107-iran-s-army-chief-vows-response-to-threats-from-trump-and-netanyahu https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn564q0vgvxo https://www.insightturkey.com/commentary/iran-in-the-wake-of-mahsa-aminis-death https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd0yldn0n7eo https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/01/iran-deaths-injuries-authorities-protest-bloodshed/ https://news.sky.com/story/number-of-iranian-dead-passes-2-000-as-protests-continue-13493859 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1dk41q3plgt https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-protest-death-toll-over-12000-feared-higher-video-bodies-at-morgue/ Join us in person for intention holding:  https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/events-1 Labyrinth Activist Network Zoom calls   https://insighttimer.com/cliverj Daily intention holding with Clive on Insight Timer.   Our websites:   www.heartfulimpact.com/   Our show website.   https://globalhealingresponse.com/ Global Healing Response ~ Offers a wealth of prayers, suggested practices and prompts in response to environmental catastrophe, conflict, and other world events.   https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/ Legacy Labyrinth Project ~ Creating global energetic connections through the labyrinth; inspiring active intention sending using the labyrinth via labyrinth activism.   https://www.clivejohnsonministry.com/ Clive Johnson Ministry ~ Events and offerings aimed at building beloved community, including weekly energy holding vigils and Power of Eight group.   https://insighttimer.com/cliverj ~ Daily intention holding.   Impact! Is presented by Ellen Bintz and Clive Johnson. It is produced by Impact Productions.   Our show content is hosted by Podbean and available from all major podcast platforms.   Our theme music is by Chris Collins. indiemusicbox.com.   Our logo artwork is by AltoClassic (Getty Images/istock).   Contact us via Facebook Messenger from the Impact! Facebook group, or using any of the contact methods mentioned on our websites.   Impact! www.heartfulimpact.com.