Key Takeaways:
- Iranian authorities have restricted communications access as protests against the country’s theocratic regime escalate
- A nationwide internet blackout has been reported, hindering the public’s right to communicate at a critical moment
- Protests have spread across the country, with demonstrators calling for the overthrow of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the end of the Islamic Republic
- At least 45 people have been killed in Iran since last month, including eight children, according to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights organisation
- The US and European leaders have condemned the Iranian government’s use of force against protesters and called for the release of imprisoned Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi
Introduction to the Protests
The situation in Iran is becoming increasingly tense as protests against the country’s theocratic regime continue to escalate. The internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported a nationwide blackout late on Thursday night, local time, which it said followed "a series of escalating digital censorship measures". This blackout is hindering the public’s right to communicate at a critical moment, making it difficult for people to access information and coordinate their efforts. The protests, which have spread across the Islamic Republic, are a new escalation in the demonstrations that have been ongoing for weeks.
The Protests Spread Across the Country
People in Iran’s capital, Tehran, shouted from their homes and rallied in the street on Thursday night, witnesses said. The renewed demonstrations came after Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s late Shah, toppled in the 1979 Islamic Revolution, called for more protests in a video post on social media. Iraq-based Iranian Kurdish opposition parties also called for a general strike on Thursday in Kurdish-populated areas in western Iran. Posts on social media, which could not be independently verified, said demonstrators chanted pro-Pahlavi slogans in several cities and towns across Iran. Videos posted earlier to social media showed large crowds of protesters marching through the capital, Tehran, and other major cities.
International Response to the Protests
The international community has been watching the situation in Iran with great concern. US President Donald Trump on Thursday reiterated a warning to Iranian officials: "If they start killing people, which they tend to do during their riots … we’re going to hit them very hard." The Norway-based Iran Human Rights organisation reported that at least 45 people have been killed in Iran since last month, including eight children. The organisation’s director, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, said that the evidence shows that the scope of the crackdown is becoming more violent and more extensive every day. Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul condemned Iranian officials’ "excessive use of force" against protesters, and the Norwegian Nobel Committee has called for the release of imprisoned Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi.
The Iranian Regime’s Response
The Iranian regime has been exhibiting relative tolerance regarding the current protests compared to its violent crackdowns in 2022, during which rights groups estimate hundreds were killed. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for "utmost restraint" in handling demonstrations, saying that "any violent or coercive behaviour should be avoided". However, rights groups have accused authorities of resorting to tactics, including raiding hospitals to detain wounded protesters. Amnesty International accused Iranian security forces of using "unlawful force" against both protesters and bystanders. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported violence at demonstrations had left at least 41 people dead while more than 2,270 others had been detained since late December.
The Future of the Protests
The protests in Iran are the largest in three years, and they show no signs of slowing down. The collapse of the Islamic Republic remains unlikely, despite all the pressure and problems, according to Deakin University research fellow Ali Mamouri. The regime is still strong enough to continue for some more years, but the protests are a clear indication that the Iranian people are demanding change. The international community must continue to support the people of Iran and condemn the Iranian government’s use of force against protesters. The release of imprisoned Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi is also a pressing issue that must be addressed. As the situation in Iran continues to unfold, it is clear that the country is at a critical juncture, and the world is watching with great interest.