Iran’s Anti-Government Demonstrations Intensify Amid Total Internet Blackout

Anti-government protests intensified across Iran on Saturday night, with crowds in Tehran chanting slogans against the clerical regime and in support of the ousted monarchy, marking the most significant challenge to the Islamic Republic in over three years. Demonstrations, which began two weeks ago over severe economic hardship, have spread nationwide, accompanied by calls for the complete removal of the ruling authorities. Authorities have responded with a heavy-handed crackdown, resulting in dozens of reported deaths according to rights groups.

A near-total internet shutdown, in place since Thursday, has severely restricted the flow of information from inside the country, with monitoring organization NetBlocks confirming virtually no connectivity. Amnesty International and Iran Human Rights expressed grave concern over reports of escalated lethal force against protesters since Thursday, with the latter group documenting at least 51 fatalities and sharing images purportedly showing bodies of individuals shot dead in eastern Tehran. Verified videos and unconfirmed footage circulated on social media showed large gatherings in multiple cities, including Mashhad, Tabriz, Qom, and Hamedan.

Reza Pahlavi, the US-based son of Iran's last shah, called for more strategic and sustained protests, urging Iranians to prepare to seize and hold city centers over the weekend. In Tehran, protesters set off fireworks, banged pots, and shouted anti-regime slogans, while in other areas, demonstrators waved pre-revolutionary flags featuring the lion and sun symbol. Iranian state media broadcast funerals of security force members killed during the unrest and displayed images of damaged buildings, including a mosque, blaming external instigators.

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Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a defiant address on Friday, condemning the protesters as "vandals" acting on behalf of US President Donald Trump. Trump, in response, posted on Truth Social that Iran is "looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before" and declared the United States "ready to help." According to The New York Times, Trump was recently briefed on potential military strike options, though no final decision has been made regarding further intervention following US involvement in Israel's conflict with Iran in June.

The Iranian army issued a statement vowing to vigorously protect national interests against those attempting to disrupt order. International leaders, including European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen, have condemned the violent repression and expressed support for the Iranian people's right to protest. Despite deserted streets and early shop closures due to safety fears, one Tehran resident described the ongoing internet blackout and unrest as "the price to pay before the victory of the people."

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