Iran remained under heightened security restrictions as widespread protests continued across multiple provinces, prompting authorities to deploy the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and enforce a nationwide internet shutdown. According to statements carried by Iranian state media, the IRGC described the protection of national security and the legacy of the 1979 Islamic Revolution as a non-negotiable red line. The army, which operates separately from the IRGC but remains under the authority of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, publicly committed to safeguarding strategic infrastructure and public property. State television reported incidents of arson, including a municipal building in Karaj, while footage aired of funerals for security personnel killed in several cities. Independent internet monitoring group Netblocks reported via a verified post on X that Iran experienced a near-total internet blackout lasting more than 36 hours, following another night in which demonstrations were met with repression. Human rights organization Hrana stated that at least 65 people had been killed since the unrest intensified, including protesters and members of the security forces, a figure that has underscored the gravity of the situation.
Iran Protest Crackdown Intensifies as Economic Grievances Fuel Unrest
The current wave of protests began approximately two weeks ago and initially reflected public anger over rapidly rising inflation and deteriorating living conditions, according to accounts gathered by international media and rights groups.
Global Reactions Grow as Iran Faces Diplomatic Pressure Over Protest Response
As the demonstrations evolved, their character shifted from economic demands to overt political dissent, with protesters in several cities calling for fundamental change to Iran’s governing system. Iranian officials, including Ayatollah Khamenei, accused demonstrators of acting on behalf of foreign powers, warning that such actions would not be tolerated, as reported by state media. International implications have since intensified. President Donald Trump publicly warned Tehran against violently suppressing protesters, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington supported the Iranian people. European leaders also weighed in, with Germany, France, and the United Kingdom issuing a joint statement condemning the killing of protesters and urging restraint. Reuters reported additional fatalities among security personnel, including attacks in Hamedan, Khuzestan, and Mashhad. Observers note that the scale of the unrest represents the largest nationwide protests since the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement of 2022, placing Iran’s domestic stability and its relations with Western governments under renewed international scrutiny.