Overview
- Demonstrations that began over soaring prices on December 28 have spread to at least 50 cities across 25 provinces, with chants targeting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the ruling theocracy.
- In a televised address, Khamenei vowed the Islamic Republic will not back down, labeled protesters as saboteurs seeking to please the U.S., and predicted President Donald Trump would be overthrown.
- NetBlocks reports a nationwide internet blackout, with phone services disrupted, as large crowds gathered in Tehran, Mashhad, Tabriz and other cities during the twelfth straight night of unrest.
- Iran Human Rights says at least 45 protesters, including eight minors, have been killed, with hundreds injured and more than 2,000 detained, while Iranian media report at least 21 deaths including security personnel and a police officer stabbed near Tehran.
- Trump warned the U.S. would strike Iran “very hard” if authorities kill protesters, as France, Germany and the EU urged restraint and Turkish Airlines canceled flights to Tehran.