Since late December, Iran has been rocked by widespread protests, with the Norway-based Iran Human Rights NGO reporting at least 45 demonstrators killed by security forces. What began as demonstrations over economic hardship has grown into a broader movement challenging the country’s leadership.
Streets of Tehran Fill with Chants and Defiance
On Thursday night, residents across Tehran and other cities shouted from their homes and marched in the streets following a call from exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi. Witnesses reported chants of “Death to the dictator!” and “Death to the Islamic Republic!” while others voiced support for the former monarchy, shouting “This is the last battle! Pahlavi will return!”
Pahlavi urged Iranians 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 government and Revolutionary Guard that “suppression of the people will not go unanswered.”
Immediately after the protests began, internet and telephone lines were cut, with Cloudflare and NetBlocks attributing the outages to government interference. Attempts to call into Iran from Dubai also failed, a tactic often preceding intense crackdowns.
Violence and Detentions Mount
Protests spread to cities and rural towns, with markets and bazaars closing in solidarity. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports that violence surrounding the demonstrations has killed at least 39 people and resulted in more than 2,260 arrests.
The movement remains largely leaderless, raising questions about its long-term direction. Analysts note that past Iranian protests have struggled due to the lack of a clear alternative leadership, as potential dissident figures have been arrested, exiled, or silenced.
Global Eyes on Iran
International attention is growing. US President Donald Trump warned that any violent suppression of peaceful protesters could trigger American intervention. Iran’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the warning as “hypocritical” and an attempt to cover up past US interventions.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola praised Iranian citizens’ courage, 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 protests continue despite communication blackouts and threats of repression, Iran faces mounting internal pressure while the world watches closely.
