Iran Unrest Intensifies Under Blackout as Activists Report Heavy Toll

Overview

• Verified videos showed renewed nighttime rallies in Tehran and dozens of other cities despite a nationwide cutoff that NetBlocks says has lasted more than 72 hours.
• Casualty estimates diverged sharply, with HRANA reporting at least 538 dead and 10,675 detained, while other groups cited lower totals and state media highlighted funerals for security personnel.
• The leadership denounced protesters as vandals and saboteurs, the Revolutionary Guard vowed to defend the system, and the prosecutor-general warned demonstrators could be charged as “enemies of God,” a capital offense.
• Exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi urged supporters to take and hold city centers and called for focused actions and a general strike, as diaspora rallies were reported in European capitals.
• President Donald Trump said the U.S. is ready to help and has threatened force if lethal repression continues, with U.S. media reporting he is weighing military and other options as Iranian officials warned U.S. and Israeli assets would be targeted if attacked.