Protests against Iran's economic crisis spread to dozens of cities on January 4 as the government imposed internet restrictions and security forces clashed with demonstrators, whilst senior officials acknowledged the regime faces a survival crisis.

Protests took place in multiple Tehran districts and cities, including Sangesar, Amol, Bushehr, Rudsar, Abadeh, Lahijan, Meshkan, Saman, Neyshabur, Nurabad, Mamasani and Sari on the eighth day of nationwide unrest, according to videos verified by bne IntelliNews.

The Kurdish-based human rights organisation reported that protests and strikes occurred in 174 locations across 60 cities in 25 provinces during the first seven days of January 3, with at least 582 people arrested and at least 15 citizens killed. Independent verification puts the official death toll so far at 16. 

Security forces clashed with shopkeepers at Alaeddin Passage in Tehran on January 4, firing tear gas, whilst shopkeepers in Marvdasht, Neyriz and Kazerun kept shops closed.

Labour unions, retirees and social organisations issued a joint statement supporting nationwide strikes and announcing plans to bring gatherings to city centres.

Internet access was cut or severely restricted in areas with high protest activity from the evening of January 3, with residents reporting hours-long delays to send text messages.

Users in Kermanshah, Dezful, Malekshahi, Malard, Marvdasht, Kuhdasht, Brazjan, Mashhad, Shiraz and parts of Tehran reported restrictions, with limitations applied on a neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood basis.

On January 4 that three Iranian officials said senior government figures have acknowledged in meetings and private conversations that the Islamic Republic "has entered survival mode".

The Supreme National Security Council held an emergency midnight meeting following US President Donald Trump's January 2 threat to respond if Iran kills protesters, the officials said.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the crisis as a battle for "regime survival" and even the country's survival during a private meeting with state media managers on January 1, according to two sources cited by the newspaper.

The sources said no prospect currently exists for negotiations with Washington, the New York Times previously reported.

Exiled former prince Reza Pahlavi, the primary challenger to the Islamic Republic, issued a message on social media platform X listing names of 24 people killed during eight days of protests, pledging not to allow their blood to be wasted and warning Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that "you and your network of criminals have brought your downfall closer by spilling the blood of the purest children of this land."

Iran's military appears to be ramping up tests amid strikes, with a video showing test missiles being shot across the sky westward, as US spy drones break international boundaries and monitor southern Iran. 

A second later missile launch from the western city of Hamedan was also recorded by locals in the city, indicating the country is preparing for a second war with regional arch enemy Israel in the coming days.