Iran Protests Intensify as Third Day of Internet Blackout Deepens Crackdown

Overview

• Demonstrations persisted across dozens of cities, with verified videos showing fires, barricades and gunfire in Tehran, Mashhad, Tabriz, Qom and other urban centers.
• NetBlocks reported a nationwide outage lasting more than 48 hours, hindering communication, organization and independent verification of on-the-ground events.
• Rights groups cited a mounting toll, with Iran Human Rights confirming at least 192 protesters killed and HRANA reporting thousands detained, while the police chief said the level of confrontation had intensified and the prosecutor-general labeled participants “enemies of God,” a charge punishable by death.
• Exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi urged protesters to take and hold city centers and called for a general strike, as Iran’s leadership accused foreign interference and vowed not to back down.
• President Donald Trump said the United States is ready to help and U.S. media reported he was briefed on options, while Iran’s parliament speaker warned that Israel and U.S. bases would be legitimate targets if Washington attacks.