Unrest in Iran: Protests Surge Amid Internet Blackout
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Over the past days, Iran has witnessed a surge in protests, sparked by a call to action from the country’s exiled crown prince. The demonstrations have persisted despite efforts by Iran’s theocratic government to silence dissent by cutting off internet and phone communications.
Activists have shared short online videos purportedly showing protesters in Tehran and other cities, chanting against the Iranian government amidst burning debris. On Friday, state media finally broke its silence on the unrest, accusing U.S. and Israeli “terrorist agents” of inciting violence, and mentioned unspecified “casualties.”
The full extent of these protests remains unclear due to the communication blackout, but they mark a significant escalation in the unrest that began over the country’s economic struggles. Since the protests started on December 28, they have grown into one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s government in years.
This wave of protests is the first test of whether the Iranian populace can be influenced by Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. His father, who suffered from a terminal illness, fled Iran just before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Demonstrators have been heard voicing support for the former shah, a sentiment that once carried the threat of a death sentence but now symbolizes the anger driving the protests.
According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, the protests have resulted in at least 42 deaths and over 2,270 arrests. Pahlavi, who called for protests, urged further demonstrations at 8 p.m. on Friday, reinforcing the momentum.
“What turned the tide of the protests was former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi’s calls for Iranians to take to the streets at 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday,” said Holly Dagres, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. “Per social media posts, it became clear that Iranians had delivered and were taking the call seriously to protest in order to oust the Islamic Republic.”
“This is exactly why the internet was shut down: to prevent the world from seeing the protests. Unfortunately, it also likely provided cover for security forces to kill protesters.”
Thursday Night Protests Trigger Communications Shutdown
As the clock struck 8 p.m. on Thursday, neighborhoods across Tehran echoed with chants such as “Death to the dictator!” and “Death to the Islamic Republic!” Some even praised the shah, chanting: “This is the last battle! Pahlavi will return!” Thousands were visible on the streets before Iran’s communication lines went dark.
“Iranians demanded their freedom tonight. In response, the regime in Iran has cut all lines of communication,” Pahlavi stated. “It has shut down the Internet. It has cut landlines. It may even attempt to jam satellite signals.”
Pahlavi called on European leaders to join U.S. President Donald Trump in holding the Iranian regime accountable. “I call on them to use all technical, financial, and diplomatic resources available to restore communication to the Iranian people so that their voice and their will can be heard and seen,” he added. “Do not let the voices of my courageous compatriots be silenced.”
While Pahlavi’s ties to Israel have drawn criticism, particularly after a 12-day war with Iran, the protests continue to see support for the shah. Whether this indicates support for Pahlavi himself or a longing for pre-1979 Iran remains uncertain.
The internet shutdown seems to have also affected Iran’s state-run and semiofficial news agencies. The state TV acknowledgment at 8 a.m. Friday was the first official report on the demonstrations, claiming the protests involved violence and casualties, without further details.
Trump’s Warning Over Protester Deaths
Iran has experienced numerous nationwide protests in recent years, exacerbated by economic struggles and sanctions. Following a 12-day conflict, Iran’s currency, the rial, collapsed, leading to protests against the theocracy.
While Iranian officials have yet to aggressively suppress the protests, Trump has issued warnings. He stated last week that if Tehran “violently kills peaceful protesters,” the U.S. “will come to their rescue.”
In an interview with Hugh Hewitt, Trump reiterated this pledge, saying, “Iran has been told very strongly, even more strongly than I’m speaking to you right now, that if they do that, they’re going to have to pay hell.”
However, Trump avoided committing to a meeting with Pahlavi, stating, “I’m not sure that it would be appropriate at this point to do that as president. I think that we should let everybody go out there, and we see who emerges.”
In another interview with Sean Hannity, Trump speculated that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, might be considering leaving the country, adding, “He’s looking to go someplace. It’s getting very bad.”
