Protests Erupt in Iran as Shah’s Son Calls for City Seizures

Major Iranian cities experienced significant protests overnight as demonstrators rallied against the Islamic Republic. In a call to action, Reza Pahlavi, the son of the ousted Shah, urged protesters to plan for the seizure of city centres. This surge in demonstrations marks one of the most substantial challenges to the theocratic regime since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Despite the defiance expressed by Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who blamed the unrest on external forces, the protests are gaining momentum.

The latest wave of protests follows the largest gatherings in recent weeks, which occurred on Thursday. Despite authorities imposing an internet shutdown, verified images and videos circulated on social media showing ongoing demonstrations late Friday. The monitoring organization Netblocks reported that the nationwide internet blackout had been in effect for over 36 hours as of Saturday morning.

In Tehran’s Saadatabad district, protesters were seen banging pots and chanting slogans such as “death to Khamenei,” while supportive honking from passing cars could be heard. Similar scenes played out across the capital and in several other cities, including Mashhad, Tabriz, and the holy city of Qom. In the western city of Hamedan, one man waved a flag from the Shah’s era amid fires, celebrating in the streets.

Pahlavi, who lives in the United States, celebrated the “magnificent” turnout on Friday and called for further mobilization over the weekend. He stated, “Our goal is no longer just to take to the streets. The goal is to prepare to seize and hold city centres.” Pahlavi expressed his intention to return to Iran, asserting that the time for such a move was “very near.”

Activists are voicing concerns that the internet blackout could conceal potential government repression. The Norway-based Iran Human Rights group reported that at least 51 individuals have been killed during the crackdown on protests. Prominent Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi warned that security forces may be poised to carry out a significant crackdown under the cover of the communications blackout.

In response to the unrest, Khamenei delivered a defiant speech on Friday, condemning the demonstrators as “vandals” and asserting that the Islamic Republic would not yield to pressure. He reiterated accusations against the United States, claiming it was responsible for inciting the protests, a sentiment echoed by other Iranian officials.

US President Donald Trump commented on the situation, indicating that Iran is facing “big trouble.” He noted signs that protesters are gaining ground in cities previously thought to be secure. When asked about his message to Iran’s leaders, Trump stated, “You better not start shooting because we’ll start shooting too.”

As the situation continues to unfold, the international community watches closely, aware of the potential implications for regional stability and the broader geopolitical landscape.