Since late December, Iran has been gripped by widespread protests, with the Norway-based Iran Human Rights NGO reporting that at least 45 demonstrators have been killed by security forces. The unrest, initially sparked by economic struggles, has evolved into a nationwide movement challenging the country’s leadership.
Massive Demonstrations Shake Tehran
On Thursday night, Tehran and other cities saw residents shouting from their homes and taking to the streets following a call from exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi for mass demonstrations. Witnesses reported chants of “Death to the dictator!” and “Death to the Islamic Republic!” while others voiced support for the former monarchy with cries like “This is the last battle! Pahlavi will return!”
Pahlavi urged citizens in a statement to unite and make their voices heard. “Great nation of Iran, the eyes of the world are upon you. Take to the streets and, as a united front, shout your demands,” he said. He also warned the Iranian government and Revolutionary Guard that “suppression of the people will not go unanswered.”
Almost immediately after the protests began, internet and phone lines were cut across Iran. Reports from Cloudflare and NetBlocks attribute the outage to government interference, a tactic often preceding severe crackdowns. Calls from Dubai to Iran also failed, leaving many unable to communicate with family members inside the country.
Rising Death Toll and Widespread Detentions
The protests have spread beyond Tehran, with markets and bazaars closing in solidarity. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, the demonstrations have already claimed at least 39 lives and led to more than 2,260 arrests.
Despite the intensity, the movement remains largely leaderless, creating uncertainty about its future direction. Analysts note that past protests in Iran have struggled due to the lack of a clear alternative leadership, with many potential dissident leaders having been arrested, exiled, or silenced.
International Attention Grows
The protests have drawn global attention. US President Donald Trump warned that any violent suppression of peaceful demonstrators would trigger American intervention. The Iranian Foreign Ministry dismissed the warning, calling it “hypocritical” and a cover for prior US interventions in the country.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola praised the courage of Iranian citizens, saying, “The world is once again witnessing the brave people of Iran stand up. Their cry for freedom, dignity, and the choice to govern themselves has been heard across the globe.”
As demonstrators continue to rally despite communication blackouts and the threat of crackdowns, Iran faces mounting internal pressure while the world watches closely.
