Protests Erupt in Iran as Internet Cuts Follow Crown Prince’s Call

UPDATE: Protests erupted across Iran on Thursday night, following a call to action from exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. As demonstrators protested against the regime, Iranian authorities cut internet access and telephone lines, intensifying the unrest in the capital, Tehran, and beyond.

Reports from Cloudflare and the advocacy group NetBlocks confirm significant internet outages attributed to government interference. Attempts to connect calls from Dubai to Iran were unsuccessful, indicating a targeted effort to suppress communication amid escalating demonstrations.

The protests represent a pivotal moment for Iran’s leadership, challenging the theocracy amid a backdrop of economic despair. Witnesses reported that crowds shouted slogans such as “Death to the dictator!” and “Death to the Islamic Republic!” as they took to the streets in unison. This marks the first major test of public sentiment since Pahlavi’s call for demonstrations at 8 p.m. local time (16:30 GMT) on Thursday and Friday.

Recent protests have already claimed at least 39 lives and seen over 2,260 arrests, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. The unrest has prompted a significant challenge to Iran’s civilian government and its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In a statement, Pahlavi urged Iranians to unite and express their demands, warning the regime that the world is watching. “Great nation of Iran, the eyes of the world are upon you. Take to the streets and, as a united front, shout your demands,” he declared.

As protests spread, more markets and bazaars began closing in solidarity with demonstrators. While authorities have refrained from deploying security forces in overwhelming numbers compared to previous uprisings, internet traffic dropped significantly, indicating a deliberate government strategy to control the narrative.

The current protests echo previous waves of dissent, including those following the death of Mahsa Amini. However, this time, the demonstrations are fueled by a combination of economic hardship and a desire for political change, becoming increasingly vocal in support of the crown prince.

Iranian officials have responded cautiously, with the hard-line Kayhan newspaper warning of potential drone surveillance to monitor protest participants. Reports of violence have also emerged, with security personnel reportedly injured during exchanges with demonstrators.

Despite the unrest, the Iranian government has not acknowledged the scale of the protests. A police colonel was fatally stabbed, and reports indicated that at least five people were killed in an attack on a police station in northeastern Iran.

Amid the chaos, former U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that any violent suppression of peaceful protesters would prompt a U.S. response. Iranian officials dismissed these claims as hypocritical, pointing to a history of foreign intervention in Iranian affairs.

As the protests continue to gain momentum, observers highlight the lack of a cohesive leadership or alternative vision among the opposition. Nate Swanson of the Atlantic Council noted that in the absence of a unifying figure, past movements in Iran have struggled to sustain momentum.

The world watches closely as Iran navigates this critical moment. With the situation developing rapidly, new protests are expected to unfold, and the government’s response remains uncertain.

As the protests evolve, the international community’s attention to Iran’s internal struggles intensifies, raising questions about the future of its regime and the aspirations of its people.