Iran is witnessing an unprecedented wave of protests, with the Norway-based Iran Human Rights NGO reporting that at least 45 demonstrators have been killed by security forces since demonstrations began in late December. What started as anger over the country’s struggling economy has escalated into a broader movement challenging the nation’s leadership.
Tehran Streets Fill with Defiance
On Thursday night, thousands took to the streets in Tehran and other cities after a call from exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi for mass demonstrations. Residents also shouted from their homes, voicing frustration and anger. Chants of “Death to the dictator!” and “Death to the Islamic Republic!” rang out, while some supporters of the former monarchy shouted, “This is the last battle! Pahlavi will return!”
Pahlavi urged Iranians to unite and make their demands heard, warning the government and the 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. Calls from abroad, including Dubai, failed to connect, a tactic historically linked to intensified crackdowns.
Rising Violence and Detentions
The demonstrations, which spread from cities to rural towns, led to closures of markets and bazaars in solidarity with the protesters. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 39 people have died, and over 2,260 have been detained in connection with the unrest.
The protests remain largely leaderless, raising questions about how Pahlavi’s call might influence the movement’s future. Analysts note that past movements in Iran have struggled due to the lack of visible leadership, with many potential dissident figures arrested, exiled, or silenced.
International Attention Grows
Global attention is intensifying. US President Donald Trump warned that if Iran violently suppresses peaceful protesters, America “will come to their rescue.” Iran’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the warning as “hypocritical” and accused the US of a long history of interference.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola praised the courage of Iranian citizens, 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 protests continue amid communication blackouts and government threats, Iran faces mounting internal pressure while the international community watches closely.
