Iran has seen a sharp escalation in nationwide unrest after large crowds took to the streets and rooftops of Tehran and other cities following a call for mass demonstrations by exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi.
Nighttime Protests Grip Tehran
Witnesses said neighbourhoods across the capital erupted in chants late Thursday as protesters responded to Pahlavi’s call to demonstrate at 8pm local time. People shouted slogans from their homes and gathered in public spaces, with thousands reported on the streets.
Crowds chanted “Death to the dictator!” and “Death to the Islamic Republic!” while others openly praised the former monarchy, shouting: “This is the last battle! Pahlavi will return!” Public expressions of support for the shah, once punishable by death, have become a striking symbol of the anger driving the protests.
The demonstrations are the latest phase of a protest movement that began in late December over Iran’s deteriorating economy and has since spread across cities and rural towns nationwide. Markets and bazaars in several areas have shut in solidarity with protesters, adding to the pressure on the government.
Communications Cut as Death Toll Rises
Internet access and phone services were disrupted almost immediately after the protests began. Cloudflare and the internet watchdog NetBlocks reported widespread outages, both attributing the shutdown to government interference. Calls to Iran from abroad, including from Dubai, failed to connect — a tactic that has often preceded harsher crackdowns in the past.
According to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights organisation, at least 45 demonstrators have been killed by Iranian security forces since protests began. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports that more than 2,260 people have been detained and at least 39 killed in violence linked to the unrest so far.
Despite the scale of the demonstrations, Iranian officials have offered little public acknowledgment. However, state-linked media suggest authorities are preparing for further action. The hardline Kayhan newspaper published a video claiming security forces could use drones to identify protesters.
Pahlavi’s Appeal and Global Reaction
The protests mark the first major test of whether Reza Pahlavi — whose father fled Iran shortly before the 1979 Islamic Revolution — can influence events inside the country. In a statement, he urged Iranians to unite and make their demands heard.
“Great nation of Iran, the eyes of the world are upon you,” Pahlavi said. “Take to the streets and, as a united front, shout your demands.” He warned Iran’s leadership and the Revolutionary Guard that international attention, including from US President Donald Trump, was focused on how authorities respond.
Still, analysts say the movement remains largely leaderless, a factor that has weakened past uprisings. Nate Swanson of the Atlantic Council noted that many potential leaders have been arrested, persecuted or exiled, leaving protests without clear direction.
International reactions continue to grow. Trump has warned that if Iran violently suppresses peaceful protesters, the US would respond — comments that drew a sharp rebuke from Tehran’s foreign ministry. Meanwhile, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola praised what she called the courage of Iranians demanding freedom and dignity.
As protests continue and communications remain restricted, uncertainty looms over whether the unrest will translate into lasting political change — or prompt a more forceful response from the Iranian state.
