Why is this important?
Iranian protests began with a strike related to the sharp decline in the value of the national currency and the difficult economic situation, but quickly became political. There were slogans against the government and the power of the ayatollahs. Within a dozen or so days, the demonstrations covered – according to the opposition website Iran International – more than 200 cities.
How are the protests going?
Footage shows crowds on the streets of Tehran, Mashhad and other cities. Cries can be heard: “Long live the Shah”, “This is the last battle!” and “Death to the Dictator”. In many places, there were clashes with the services, which opened fire on protesters. This happened, among others, in Fardis. Protesters set fire to a government building in Tehran overnight. According to calculations published on Thursday by the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights, at least 45 demonstrators have been killed since the protests began.
What did Reza Pahlavi say?
Reza Pahlavi, the son of the shah deposed in 1979, called for more protests in the capital. “Millions of Iranians demanded freedom today,” Pahlavi wrote on Platform X. He thanked US President Donald Trump for his support and called on European leaders to act.
Pahlavi lives in exile. It is unclear how much influence he has on the protests. Iran's opposition abroad is considered divided and fragmented.
What are the causes of the protests in Iran?
How many cities were affected by protests?
What did Reza Pahlavi say?
How are the Iranian authorities reacting to the protests?
What is the US position?
Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox News that the United States will strike against the Islamic regime in Iran if it continues to kill protesters. The statement came just before news broke that regime security forces had shot and killed dozens of protesters in Fardis.
How are the Iranian authorities reacting?
Iranian state media downplay the scale of the protests, and the authorities block the Internet. Meanwhile, human rights organizations report dozens of deaths and thousands of arrests. The president of Iran appeals to calm down the mood, but to no avail.
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