Since late December, protests across Iran have intensified, with the Norway-based Iran Human Rights NGO reporting at least 45 demonstrators killed by security forces. What began as demonstrations against economic hardships has grown into a nationwide challenge to the government.
Citizens Take to the Streets in Tehran
On Thursday night, thousands of Iranians answered a call from exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi, shouting from their homes and rallying in the streets. Chants included “Death to the dictator!” and “Death to the Islamic Republic!” while others praised the former monarchy, proclaiming, “This is the last battle! Pahlavi will return!”
Pahlavi urged citizens to unite and demand their rights, warning the government and Revolutionary Guard that “suppression of the people will not go unanswered.” Almost immediately, internet access and phone lines were cut, with reports from Cloudflare and NetBlocks attributing the outages to government interference—a move often preceding harsh crackdowns.
Rising Death Toll and Widespread Arrests
The protests have spread beyond Tehran, with markets and bazaars closing in support. Violence around the demonstrations has claimed at least 39 lives and led to more than 2,260 detentions, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency. Despite the scale of the unrest, the movement remains largely leaderless, creating uncertainty about its direction. Analysts note that past protests in Iran have struggled due to the absence of recognized leadership, as potential dissidents have been arrested, exiled, or silenced.
Global Attention and Pressure
The unrest has drawn international focus. US President Donald Trump warned that violent crackdowns on peaceful protesters could trigger US intervention, a warning dismissed by Iran’s Foreign Ministry as “hypocritical.” European Parliament President Roberta Metsola praised the courage of Iranians, stating, “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 citizens continue to defy restrictions and government controls, Iran faces mounting domestic pressure while the international community watches closely.
