People gathered in the streets of Tehran on Thursday night, according to witnesses, signaling a new phase of ongoing protests in Iran following a call by exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi for a mass demonstration. Internet and phone services in Iran were immediately disrupted as the protests unfolded.
These demonstrations were a crucial test to see if the Iranian public would respond to Pahlavi’s call. The chants during the protests included support for the shah, a stark contrast to the past when such expressions would have been met with severe consequences. The protests initially stemmed from frustrations over Iran’s struggling economy.
The protests continued on Thursday, spreading across various cities and rural areas in Iran. More markets and bazaars closed in solidarity with the demonstrators. The violence surrounding the protests has resulted in the deaths of 41 individuals and the detention of over 2,270 others, as reported by the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.
The mounting protests are putting increased pressure on Iran’s civilian government and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Both CloudFlare, an internet company, and the advocacy group NetBlocks confirmed the internet blackout, attributing it to government interference. Previous incidents of internet shutdowns have been followed by severe crackdowns by the authorities.
Despite the growing protests, there is a lack of clear leadership among the demonstrators. The impact of Pahlavi’s call on the future of the protests remains uncertain. Pahlavi had urged the Iranian people to take to the streets and voice their demands, warning the Islamic Republic and its leadership that the world, including President Donald Trump, was closely monitoring the situation.
The unrest in Iran has triggered concern internationally, with observers closely watching the developments. The protests have raised questions about the government’s response and how the situation may evolve. The ongoing demonstrations reflect deep-seated dissatisfaction within Iran and the challenges facing the country amidst economic struggles and political tensions.