Nationwide protests in Iran have entered their second week, challenging the authority of the country’s theocratic government. Demonstrators took to the streets in cities including Tehran and Mashhad, demanding change amid reports of escalating violence. According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 116 people have been killed and over 2,600 others detained since the unrest began.
The Iranian government has responded with threats against both domestic protesters and U.S. military personnel in the region. Communications have been severely restricted, with internet access cut off and phone lines disrupted, complicating external assessments of the situation. Despite these challenges, videos reportedly from Iran show protesters gathering, waving mobile phones, and demonstrating against the regime.
Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagheri Qalibaf, warned during a live broadcast that the U.S. military and Israel would be considered “legitimate targets” if the U.S. were to strike Iran, as mentioned by President Trump. Qalibaf’s remarks came as lawmakers shouted slogans against the U.S., underscoring the regime’s escalating rhetoric.
The protests initially erupted on December 28, 2023, following the collapse of the Iranian rial, which now trades at over 1.4 million to $1. The unrest quickly morphed into broader anti-government demonstrations, with calls challenging the very foundations of the theocracy.
As tensions rise, President Trump expressed support for the protesters, stating on social media that “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before.” This remark may have inspired many demonstrators, according to Maziar Bahari, editor of IranWire. The New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported that Trump has been presented with military options for a potential strike on Iran, though no decision has been made.
The Iranian government, facing its most significant challenge in years, has also issued stern warnings to protesters. The attorney general, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, declared that anyone participating in the demonstrations could be deemed an “enemy of God,” a charge that can carry the death penalty. This threat reflects the regime’s determination to quell dissent and restore order.
Reports indicate that while large gatherings are being met with heavy security forces, the protests have taken the form of smaller, more fluid assemblies. In Mashhad, demonstrators confronted security personnel, blocking roads with debris. The protests carry special significance in this city, home to the Imam Reza shrine, the holiest site in Shiite Islam.
Internationally, there are concerns that the Iranian government’s crackdown could intensify, particularly given the regime’s history of violent responses to dissent. Surveillance drones have been reported over protest sites, and security forces are closely monitoring movements.
In an effort to bolster morale among protesters, exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has called for continued demonstrations, urging individuals to display national symbols from the pre-revolution era. His support for the protests has drawn mixed reactions, as some demonstrators express nostalgia for the time before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
As the situation evolves, the international community watches closely, mindful of the implications for stability in the region. Whether Iran’s leadership will choose to escalate its military posture or seek a resolution to the unrest remains to be seen, but the stakes are undeniably high.
