Iran Faces Largest Protests in Years as Nationwide Internet Blackout Persists

Overview

• Demonstrations spread across Tehran, Mashhad, Tabriz, Qom and other cities despite connectivity reduced to about 1% of normal levels for more than 24 hours, according to NetBlocks.
• Iran Human Rights reported at least 51 people killed in the first 13 days of unrest, while other estimates put the toll near 44.
• Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei denounced protesters as “vandals” and “saboteurs,” blamed foreign interference and said authorities would not yield.
• The judiciary chief warned of decisive punishment and the Revolutionary Guard’s intelligence arm said continuation of the unrest is unacceptable.
• U.S. President Donald Trump said he is monitoring events and warned he could intervene, as state television broadcast pro-government counter-demonstrations and European leaders urged restraint.