Iran’s protest movement took a dramatic turn this week as crowds poured into the streets of Tehran and residents shouted slogans from rooftops, answering a call for mass demonstrations by exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. The unrest, which began over economic hardship, is now spreading nationwide and escalating in intensity.
Internet Blackouts and Rising Death Toll
As demonstrations flared on Thursday night, internet access and phone services across Iran were abruptly cut. Internet monitoring firm Cloudflare and digital rights group NetBlocks both reported widespread outages, blaming government interference. Calls from abroad, including from Dubai, failed to connect — a move that in past protests has often signaled a looming crackdown.
The Norway-based Iran Human Rights organization says at least 45 demonstrators have been killed by security forces since protests erupted in late December. A separate US-based group, the Human Rights Activists News Agency, reports more than 2,260 arrests and at least 39 deaths linked to the unrest so far.
Pahlavi’s Call Puts Protests to the Test
The demonstrations marked the first major test of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi’s influence inside Iran. His father, the last shah, fled the country shortly before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Pahlavi urged Iranians to take to the streets at 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and witnesses say entire neighborhoods erupted in chants as the hour struck.
Cries of “Death to the dictator” and “Death to the Islamic Republic” echoed through Tehran, alongside chants praising the former monarchy, including “This is the last battle — Pahlavi will return.” Thousands were seen marching, while others joined from their homes, shouting from balconies and rooftops.
In a statement, Pahlavi urged unity and warned Iran’s leadership that the world was watching. He also referenced US President Donald Trump, saying any violent suppression would not go unanswered.
A Leaderless Movement Under Global Scrutiny
Despite Pahlavi’s call, the protest movement remains largely leaderless, a factor analysts say has undermined previous uprisings in Iran. Experts note that many potential opposition figures have been arrested, exiled or silenced over the years, making it difficult for a single leader to emerge.
Iranian authorities appear to be taking the unrest seriously. A hardline newspaper published footage claiming security forces would use drones to identify protesters, though officials have not publicly acknowledged the scale of the demonstrations.
International attention is growing. President Trump warned Tehran last week that the US would respond if peaceful protesters were violently killed, drawing sharp criticism from Iran’s Foreign Ministry. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola also voiced support, praising the courage of Iranians demanding freedom and dignity.
As protests continue to spread to cities and rural towns alike, with markets and bazaars closing in solidarity, pressure is mounting on Iran’s government and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Whether the movement can sustain momentum — or coalesce around a clear leadership — remains uncertain, but the anger driving it shows no sign of fading.
