Iran Deploys Armed Forces, Checkpoints Across Cities

Armed forces, new checkpoints, and surveillance cameras have appeared across Iran in recent days as the regime fears renewed protests and another military confrontation with Israel and the United States, according to Iran International.

From the people’s chants to the sound of bullets, just a few seconds!
People in the middle of the street get caught off guard,
It’s said that Basij assassins were among the crowd too…
These noble people didn’t even know where the shots were coming from…!
#IranMassacre‌2026 #IranMassacre #KingRezaPahlavi‌ForIran https://t.co/THOcMIgzrh

— Luis (@LuisMendez1078) October 24, 2026

Residents in Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Dezful, Hamadan, and other cities reported increased presence of armed Basij forces and riot control units at major intersections and public squares. Reports included new checkpoints and intensified security patrols in the streets.

In Dezful in southwestern Iran, one resident described heavy security presence, especially in the city center and on Shariati Street. According to him, the buildup may be linked to authorities’ fears of protests around the anniversary of the November 2019 uprising, when demonstrations erupted following a sharp fuel price hike and were violently suppressed by security forces.

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In the capital Tehran, a Basij checkpoint was reported on Khavaran Street, set up Thursday evening, alongside increased patrols in other areas of the city and nearby Karaj. In Mashhad, residents reported armed Basij forces in the Mellat Park area, while in Isfahan, Hamadan, and Borujerd, similar reports emerged of force deployments.

Alongside the armed presence, residents are also reporting expanded surveillance. In Astara, near the Azerbaijan border, one resident said new security cameras are being installed in squares and neighborhoods throughout the city. Another resident reported additional cameras being placed in the Sadeghiyeh area of Tehran.

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Parallel to the increased security presence, residents in various provinces are reporting significant internet slowdowns and difficulties accessing social media. According to testimonies, VPN services used to bypass blocks have stopped working in some locations, and in certain areas disruptions have also been recorded in cellular internet connections.

A Shiraz resident said the internet in the city has been especially slow for about six days, while in Kerman it was reported that even paid VPN services cannot bypass the restrictions. In Tonekabon, on the Caspian Sea coast, disconnections of cellular internet during nighttime hours were reported.