Protests Sweep Iran... Khamenei Urges Unity and Readiness

SadaNews - Iranian protesters continued to take to the streets and chant until Friday morning, in response to a call issued by exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, despite Iranian authorities cutting internet and international phone communications, isolating the country from the outside world.

The Iranian leader Ali Khamenei was quoted saying to a group of his supporters: "Dear youth, maintain your readiness and unity," adding that "a united nation can overcome any enemy," and stated that "Iran will not tolerate mercenaries working for foreigners."

Khamenei added that Iranian protesters "are damaging their streets to please the leader of another country," referring to President Donald Trump.

Khamenei’s remarks came as short videos circulated by activists showed protesters chanting against the Iranian government around burning fires, while debris was scattered in the streets of the capital Tehran and other areas.

Iran's official media broke its silence on Friday, accusing "terrorist agents" affiliated with the U.S. and Israel of igniting fires and inciting violence, noting that there were "victims" without providing further details.

It was not possible to determine the full scale of the protests due to communication blackout; however, they represent a new escalation in a wave of protests sparked by economic decline, turning into the most serious challenge the regime has faced in years. The protests have steadily intensified since they began on December 28.

This movement also represented the first real test of how responsive the Iranian street is to the calls of Reza Pahlavi, the son of the late Shah who fled Iran before the 1979 revolution, according to the Associated Press.

The protests included pro-Shah chants, slogans that were once considered major felonies, but today reflect the depth of public anger ignited by the living crisis.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), based in the U.S., has reported that the security crackdown on the protests has so far resulted in the death of at least 42 people, while more than 2,270 others have been arrested.

Pahlavi had called for protests to take place on Thursday evening and renewed his call for new protests on Friday evening at eight o'clock.

Night Protests Preceded Internet Cut-off

As eight o'clock struck on Thursday evening, chants erupted in several neighborhoods of Tehran, according to eyewitnesses. Protesters shouted slogans including "Death to the dictator," while others chanted: "This is the final battle... Pahlavi will return." Thousands were seen in the streets before all communication means were cut off.

Pahlavi stated that "Iranians demanded their freedom, and the response was cutting off the internet and phone lines, perhaps with attempts to jam satellites," calling on European leaders to join President Donald Trump in pledging to "hold the regime accountable."

The internet cut-off appears to have also disrupted official and semi-official news agencies, while the statement from state television on Friday morning was the first official acknowledgment of the protests. The television claimed that acts of violence included burning private cars, motorcycles, and public facilities, without providing independent evidence.

NetBlocks, an organization that monitors global internet connectivity, reported that Iranian authorities enforced a complete shutdown since Thursday evening. They added on Friday morning that Iran "has been effectively cut off from the network for 12 hours," framing this in the context of "an attempt to suppress widespread protests."

Trump Renewed His Threats

In a related context, U.S. President Donald Trump renewed his warnings, stating in a radio interview that Iran has been "very clearly told" it would pay a "heavy price" if it resorts to killing protesters. He also hinted, in a later television interview, that Khamenei "might be in the process of leaving the country," adding: "The situation is getting much worse."