Select Language:
Tensions in Iran have eased after three weeks of protests coinciding with an internet blackout, according to monitors on Friday. This comes about a week after the largest demonstrations in recent years challenged the ruling authorities. Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s former shah, expressed strong confidence that the government would eventually collapse and called for international intervention. However, the perceived threat of new U.S. military action against Iran seems to have diminished for now.
Economic frustrations ignited the protests, beginning with a shutdown of the Tehran bazaar on December 28. These unrests quickly grew into a large-scale movement demanding the end of the regime that has governed Iran since the 1979 revolution. Large crowds gathered in major cities starting January 8, but the government responded swiftly with a shutdown of internet services, which has persisted for more than a week.
During a press conference in Washington, Reza Pahlavi stated, “The government will fall — not if, but when,” adding, “I will return to Iran.” Netblocks reported that the complete internet blackout in Iran has lasted over 180 hours—surpassing the duration of a similar restriction during the 2019 protests. Amnesty International reported that heavily armed patrols and checkpoints are being used to suppress protests nationwide, with security forces visibly patrolling the streets.
Former President Trump, who supported and took part in Israel’s 12-day conflict against Iran in June, has not ruled out further military action but emphasized he is closely monitoring the situation for any executions of protesters. Meanwhile, a senior official from Saudi Arabia told AFP that the Kingdom, along with Qatar and Oman, was conducting frantic diplomatic efforts to persuade Trump to give Iran a chance to demonstrate goodwill. The White House maintains that all options are still on the table.
Attention centered on Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old protester reportedly facing execution as early as Wednesday. Iranian authorities deny that he has been sentenced to death, stating his charges do not carry the death penalty. According to rights groups, approximately 20,000 people have been detained, with reports from security officials stating that around 3,000 arrests have been made.
The U.S. Treasury announced new sanctions targeting Iranian officials, including Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in calls with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in what the Kremlin called a move to promote de-escalation.
At the United Nations Security Council in New York, Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad asserted that “all Iranians are united” against their government. Iran’s envoy, Gholamhossein Darzi, accused Washington of exploiting peaceful protests for geopolitical purposes. Despite widespread unrest, some areas, notably in Iran’s northwest, reported ongoing but less intense sporadic protests.
Local reports indicated that rioters set fire to a local education office in Falavarjan County, Isfahan Province, on Thursday. An elderly resident from a Kurdish-majority region described the protests as having continued in a lesser form, noting earlier scenes of violence that she had never seen before. Iran’s police chief claimed that order has been restored nationwide. Additionally, several arrests of leaders involved in recent riots in Kermanshah and of individuals accused of damaging infrastructure in Kerman were reported.
ChatGPT
Perplexity
Gemini AI
Grok AI
