Nationwide protests in Iran, which began on December 28, 2023, have escalated, resulting in a death toll of at least 116 people, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Demonstrators have taken to the streets in the capital, Tehran, and the second-largest city, Mashhad, challenging the country’s theocratic regime. As violence surges, over 2,600 individuals have reportedly been detained.
The situation has become increasingly difficult to monitor as the Iranian government has cut off internet access and disrupted phone lines. Activists fear that this information blackout may allow hard-liners within Iran’s security forces to intensify their crackdown. U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed support for the protesters, stating on social media that “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”
International Reactions and Security Threats
Reports from credible sources, including The New York Times and Wall Street Journal, indicate that Trump has been presented with military options for a potential strike on Iran, although no final decision has been made. The U.S. State Department issued a stern warning, stating, “Do not play games with President Trump. When he says he’ll do something, he means it.”
Iran’s attorney general, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, has signaled a forthcoming crackdown, declaring that protest participants may be labeled as “enemies of God,” which could lead to severe repercussions. The Iranian regime has intensified its threats as unrest continues to spread, with demonstrators gathering in various cities, including Kerman, which is located approximately 800 kilometers southeast of Tehran.
Online videos originating from Iran, likely transmitted via Starlink satellite technology, depict demonstrators in northern Tehran’s Punak neighborhood. Footage shows individuals waving mobile phones, banging on metal objects, and setting off fireworks. In Mashhad, protesters appear to confront security forces, with scenes of burning debris obstructing roadways.
Protests and Their Historical Context
The demonstrations in Iran emerged in response to the economic crisis, particularly the collapse of the Iranian rial, which currently trades at over 1.4 million to $1. As the economy is strained by international sanctions, particularly those related to Iran’s nuclear program, the protests evolved from economic grievances into direct challenges to the theocracy itself.
Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has called for continued protests, encouraging demonstrators to carry symbols from the pre-revolution era. He urged them to reclaim public spaces as their own. While some protesters have voiced support for the shah, it remains unclear whether this reflects an endorsement of Pahlavi or a desire to revert to the time before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
State media in Iran, meanwhile, has attempted to portray calm in various cities, excluding Tehran and Mashhad from their coverage. Reports indicated pro-government demonstrations occurring in cities like Qom and Qazvin, further illustrating the deep divisions within Iranian society.
As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, with concerns over the potential for increased violence and a crackdown on dissent in a nation grappling with significant internal turmoil.
