Weapons Heists in Tehran: How Iranian Civilians are Disarming the Revolutionary Guard

As the Iranian uprising enters its ninth consecutive day, the nature of the protests has undergone a radical and violent transformation. What began as scattered demonstrations over the cost of living has evolved into a coordinated offensive against the strategic assets of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). For the first time in recent history, the protesters are no longer just absorbing blows from the state, they are striking back at the regime’s industrial and military heart. Reports from across the country indicate that more than 200 protest hubs have emerged, with the most daring actions taking place at government controlled factories and military checkpoints.

One of the most significant escalations occurred in the industrial zones surrounding Tehran, where an ammonia plant suspected of being linked to the regime’s ballistic missile program was set ablaze. According to local reports, the facility was targeted because it produces chemicals essential for the fuel used in Iran’s long range missile systems. The sight of smoke rising from a guarded IRGC facility has had a massive psychological impact, emboldening citizens who previously feared the regime’s technical and military superiority. In other parts of northern and southern Iran, footage has emerged showing groups of protesters swarming IRGC units, physically overpowering them, and seizing their service weapons and equipment.

The regime is currently attempting to "contain" the situation by deploying primarily the police and the Basij, while keeping the heavy units of the IRGC in reserve. This hesitant approach is partly due to the fear of triggering a massive casualty event that would invite the American intervention recently promised by President Trump. However, this "defensive" posture by the state has allowed the protesters to seize the initiative. In many cities, the youth have abandoned traditional chanting in favor of tactical strikes on the infrastructure of oppression, targeting surveillance cameras, police stations, and the homes of known regime enforcers.

Despite the deaths of at least 25 people and two security officers, the momentum shows no signs of slowing. The core issue remains that the government has no meaningful solution to the hunger and economic despair that is fueling this fire. While President Pezeshkian has promised small financial grants, the protesters have moved beyond such concessions, now focused on the total dismantling of the regime's military capability. In Israel, security officials are watching the situation with extreme caution, preparing for any scenario where a desperate Iranian leadership might attempt to divert domestic anger by launching a military provocation against external targets.