Anti-Khamenei Protests Escalate in Iran as Exiled Prince Calls for Mass Uprising

Iran witnessed a sharp escalation in nationwide unrest as anti-government protests intensified following a rallying call from exiled royal figure Reza Pahlavi, prompting authorities to impose a near-total internet blackout across the country. Demonstrations entered their 12th consecutive day, spilling from city streets into residential neighbourhoods amid deepening economic distress.

Late Thursday night, internet connectivity and telephone services collapsed across multiple regions as thousands of protesters gathered in Tehran and other major cities. Residents were seen chanting slogans from balconies and rooftops, while others poured into streets, signalling a new phase of coordinated civil defiance against the Islamic Republic.

Monitoring groups tracking digital freedom reported that Iran’s connectivity plunged to near-zero levels. The blackout followed earlier attempts to throttle social media and messaging platforms, indicating a systematic effort by authorities to suppress mobilisation and information flow during a critical moment.

Protests have been fuelled by rising inflation, job losses, currency collapse and widespread anger at political repression. Markets in several cities shut down in solidarity with demonstrators, amplifying the economic dimension of the unrest.

In a public statement, Pahlavi accused the regime led by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of silencing the nation by cutting all communication channels.

“Millions of Iranians demanded their freedom tonight. In response, the regime cut the internet, landlines and communications,” he said, urging global leaders to support the Iranian people.

Pahlavi also thanked Donald Trump for warning Tehran against violent suppression of protesters and called on European governments to break their silence and take decisive action.

Demonstrations were reported across urban centres and smaller towns, with chants such as “Death to the dictator” and “Death to the Islamic Republic” echoing through streets. Some protesters openly expressed support for Iran’s former monarchy, reflecting a widening rejection of the current political order.

Despite the scale of protests, the movement remains largely decentralised and leaderless. Analysts note that while Pahlavi’s call has energised sections of the opposition, it remains unclear whether his involvement will unify the protests or provoke harsher crackdowns.

Iranian authorities appeared to be preparing for sustained unrest. Reports indicated heightened security deployments, surveillance measures and warnings that drones may be used to identify demonstrators. Flights were suspended at key airports, and aviation advisories were issued in multiple regions, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

Official state media has downplayed the magnitude of the protests, instead highlighting injuries among security forces. However, independent rights groups estimate that at least 39 people have been killed and more than 2,260 detained since the unrest began.

From Washington, Trump issued a stark warning to Iran’s leadership, stating that severe consequences would follow if authorities resorted to mass killings of demonstrators. He stopped short of formally engaging with Pahlavi but reiterated that the situation was being closely monitored.

As Iran enters another night of uncertainty under a communications blackout, the confrontation between citizens and the state appears far from over. With economic pressures mounting and global attention intensifying, the coming days may prove decisive in determining whether the protests fade, fragment, or evolve into a broader challenge to the Islamic Republic’s grip on power.