Since late December, Iran has seen waves of protests, with the Norway-based Iran Human Rights NGO reporting at least 45 demonstrators killed by security forces. Initially sparked by economic hardship, the unrest has grown into a nationwide challenge to the country’s leadership.
Streets Filled with Chants and Defiance
On Thursday night, residents across Tehran took to their homes and streets after exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi called for mass demonstrations. Witnesses reported chants of “Death to the dictator!” and “Death to the Islamic Republic!” while others expressed support for the former monarchy, shouting, “This is the last battle! Pahlavi will return!”
Pahlavi urged Iranians to unite and make their voices heard, warning the government and Revolutionary Guard that “suppression of the people will not go unanswered.” Almost immediately, internet and phone lines went dark, with Cloudflare and NetBlocks attributing the outages to government interference, a move often preceding harsher crackdowns.
Rising Toll and Detentions
The protests have spread to cities and rural towns, with markets and bazaars closing in solidarity. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, violence surrounding demonstrations has already killed at least 39 people and led to more than 2,260 arrests. The movement remains largely leaderless, leaving uncertainty about its future direction as past protests have faltered without clear leadership.
Global Eyes on Iran
The unrest has drawn international attention. US President Donald Trump warned that violent suppression of peaceful protesters could prompt American intervention. Iran’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the warning as hypocritical, citing a history of US interference.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola praised 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.”
Despite blackouts and threats of repression, Iranians continue to rally, signaling growing pressure on Tehran while the international community watches closely.
