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WEST PALM BEACH: President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the U.S. is “prepared to assist” as protests against the government in Iran persist, with Tehran authorities indicating plans for a harsher crackdown on demonstrators.
” Iran is seeking FREEDOM, maybe like never before. The USA is ready to help!!!” Trump tweeted, although he provided no further details.
This comment coincided with Iran’s leadership warning that it could escalate its response to the largest protests seen in years. The Revolutionary Guards accused “terrorists” of instigating unrest and pledged to protect the regime.
After sundown on Saturday, online videos appeared to show new demonstrations in several neighborhoods in Tehran, along with cities such as Rasht in the north, Tabriz in the northwest, and Shiraz and Kerman in the south. Reuters could not immediately verify these latest videos.
The son of Iran’s last shah, now living in exile and emerging as a significant voice in the fractured opposition, made his most forceful call to date for the protests to expand into a full rebellion aimed at overthrowing the clerical rulers.
State media reported that a municipal building was set on fire in Karaj, west of Tehran, blaming “rioters.” Footage broadcast by state TV also showed funeral processions for security personnel reportedly killed during protests in Shiraz, Qom, and Hamedan.
Social media posts from Friday depicted large gatherings in Tehran and street fires. One verified video from Reuters showed a nighttime protest in Tehran’s Saadatabad district, where a man declared the area had been taken over.
Since December 28, protests have spread across Iran, initially sparked by skyrocketing inflation. They quickly became political, with demonstrators demanding the end of the current government. Authorities accuse the U.S. and Israel of fomenting the unrest.
A senior U.S. intelligence official described the situation as a “stamina contest,” with opposition groups maintaining pressure until key officials defect or flee, while Iranian authorities attempt to intimidate the population into submission without giving Washington grounds for intervention.
Iranian rights organization HRANA reports at least 50 protesters and 15 security personnel dead, with nearly 2,300 arrests.
The army has stated that “terrorist groups” are aiming to destabilize security. The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported the arrest of 100 “armed rioters” in Baharestan near Tehran.
In a televised statement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) accused “terrorists” of targeting military and law enforcement bases over the past two nights, resulting in fatalities and property damage. The IRGC emphasized that defending the gains of the Islamic Revolution and maintaining security are red lines.
The regular military also issued a statement vowing to “protect and defend national interests, strategic infrastructure, and public property.”
Reza Pahlavi, 65, the son of Iran’s deposed last shah and now residing in the U.S., released a video stating his goal is to bring the Islamic Republic “to its knees.” He called for people to seize control of city centers and announced plans for a return to Iran soon.
Meanwhile, in northwestern Iran, a doctor reported that since Friday, numerous injured protesters have been admitted to hospitals, many suffering from severe head injuries, broken limbs, and cuts. At least 20 individuals at one hospital were reportedly shot with live ammunition; five of them later succumbed.
President Trump indicated on Thursday that he was hesitant to meet with Pahlavi, signaling a cautious approach as the crisis unfolds and he considers support for opposition figures. Iran’s government has endured multiple unrest episodes, from student protests in 1999 to political upheaval in 2009, economic protests in 2019, and demonstrations in 2022 over the death of a woman in custody.
Since last summer, Trump has aligned with Israel in striking Iran’s nuclear facilities and has placed Iran on a list of potential intervention zones, especially following U.S. actions in Venezuela last week. On Friday, Trump warned Iran’s leaders: “You better not start shooting because we’ll start shooting too.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei accused protesters of acting on behalf of Trump, labeling rioters as attacking public property and warning that Tehran would not tolerate “mercenaries for foreigners.”
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