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On Thursday night, chaotic scenes unfolded in the Iranian capital, where protesters marched through the streets and clashed with security forces. Videos circulating online showed stone-throwing demonstrators facing off against police and armed officers firing live rounds and tear gas into large crowds. Gunshots could be heard in several clips, highlighting the severity of the crackdown.
Pahlavi, the son of the shah who was overthrown during the 1979 Islamic Revolution, urged people to chant at exactly 8 pm, whether they were in the streets or at home. He said further calls to action would follow based on the public’s response.
Internet monitoring group Netblocks reported a nationwide internet blackout, while phone services were also disrupted. Social media users claimed state television was broadcasting Farsi-dubbed interviews of US television host Tucker Carlson, though the reason for this was unclear.
Images from across Iran showed protesters burning pictures of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and waving the historic “lion and sun” flag of pre-revolutionary Iran. Human rights groups said the protests, which began on December 28, have now reached hundreds of locations across the country.
In one picture, a woman burned an image of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Picture: Collected
Large crowds were seen gathering in areas such as Tehran’s Ayatollah Kashani Boulevard and in cities like Abadan, where demonstrators openly challenged the authorities.
Official Iranian sources have reported at least 21 deaths, including members of the security forces. However, the Norway-based group Iran Human Rights says at least 45 protesters, including eight children, have been killed by security forces. The organisation said Wednesday was the deadliest day, with 13 protesters confirmed dead.
US President Donald Trump warned Tehran that Washington would respond forcefully if authorities continued killing civilians.
The protests were initially sparked by economic hardship, soaring prices, and the collapse of the Iranian currency. Shopkeepers at Tehran’s historic Grand Bazaar closed their businesses and joined demonstrations after another sharp fall in the rial against the US dollar.
Iran is already under severe strain following years of sanctions and the 2025 war with Israel, which worsened its economic and political instability.
On Wednesday, an Iranian police officer was stabbed to death west of Tehran while attempting to control the unrest. In western cities such as Kermanshah and Kamyaran, rights groups reported that security forces opened fire on demonstrators, wounding several people.
Iran faces its biggest wave of unrest since the Mahsa Amini protests. Photo: Collected
In southern Fars province, protesters were seen tearing down a statue of former Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a US air strike in 2020. The unrest has also spread to universities, forcing Tehran’s Amir Kabir University to postpone its final exams.
Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, have accused Iranian authorities of using unlawful force against both protesters and bystanders. They have also alleged that security forces raided hospitals to arrest wounded demonstrators.
With protests now spreading to 348 locations across all 31 provinces, Iran is facing its biggest wave of unrest since the 2022–23 protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in custody. The situation remains volatile, with fears that further bloodshed is imminent.
