Since late December, protests have swept across Iran, with the Norway-based Iran Human Rights NGO reporting at least 45 demonstrators killed by security forces. What began as economic grievances has quickly evolved into a broader movement challenging the country’s leadership.
Tehran Streets Filled with Chants and Defiance
On Thursday night, thousands of Iranians took to the streets of Tehran and other cities following a call from exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi. Residents also shouted from their homes, with chants including “Death to the dictator!” and “Death to the Islamic Republic!” Others expressed support for the former monarchy, shouting, “This is the last battle! Pahlavi will return!”
Pahlavi urged citizens to unite in demanding change. “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, warning the government and Revolutionary Guard that “suppression of the people will not go unanswered.”
Immediately after the protests began, internet and phone lines were cut. Cloudflare and NetBlocks reported the disruption, attributing it to government interference. Attempts to call Iran from Dubai also failed, a pattern that has often preceded harsh crackdowns.
Violence Escalates, Arrests Mount
The demonstrations spread to rural towns and markets, many of which closed in solidarity. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 39 people have been killed and more than 2,260 detained amid the unrest.
Despite the scale of the protests, leadership within the movement remains largely absent. Analysts say the lack of a clear alternative has hampered past movements, with potential dissident leaders often arrested, exiled, or otherwise silenced by the security apparatus.
Global Attention and Warnings
The protests have drawn international attention. US President Donald Trump warned that violent suppression of peaceful demonstrators could trigger American intervention, a statement condemned by Iran’s Foreign Ministry as “hypocritical” and misleading.
Meanwhile, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola praised the courage of the Iranian people. “The world is once again witnessing the brave people of Iran stand up,” she said. “Their cry for freedom, for dignity, for the choice to live and be governed as they choose, has been heard across the globe. The people of Iran are not protesting, they are crying out. Europe hears them, the world hears them.”
As protests continue under tight communication restrictions and government pressure, Iran faces mounting internal unrest while the international community watches closely.
