Iran Protests Intensify: Death Toll Climbs to 648 Amid Communication Blackout
Iran is witnessing its most severe wave of protests since 2022. The unrest has now entered its second week. Nationwide demonstrations are driven by deep economic hardship and public frustration.
Leadership Addresses the Nation Amid Crisis
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian spoke to the nation on Sunday. He assured citizens that officials would listen to their demands and concerns. However, he also issued a warning. Pezeshkian claimed that the country's enemies were trying to create chaos and disorder. He specifically blamed the United States and Israel for these efforts.
The President presented an economic relief plan. This move comes as international sanctions continue to strain Iran's fragile economy.
Earlier, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also addressed the public. He stated that mass rallies served as a warning to American politicians. Khamenei accused some rioters of attempting to please US President Donald Trump.
Violent Clashes and Soaring Casualty Figures
Protests have escalated sharply across the country. Authorities responded by imposing sweeping communication restrictions. They cut internet access and telephone services in large parts of Iran.
This shutdown occurred as demonstrations against economic hardship intensified. The protests mark nearly two weeks of sustained unrest. Key drivers include:
- High inflation hovering around 40 percent
- A collapsing national currency, the rial
- Public anger at the ruling establishment
- Recent fuel price hikes and exchange-rate policy changes
Violent clashes between protesters and security forces erupted in several cities. Footage circulated online before the blackout showed the use of tear gas, gunfire, and stone-throwing. Rights groups reported that protesters also set fire to government buildings in some areas as the uprising entered its 12th day.
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, the death toll has now reached at least 648 people. More than 2,270 individuals have been detained. Iranian authorities have acknowledged the deaths of several security personnel.
Nationwide Communication Blackout
The internet shutdown, reported by NetBlocks and Cloudflare, has left over 85 million people effectively cut off from the outside world. International phone calls, including those routed via Dubai, failed to connect. Such blackouts have historically preceded harsher crackdowns by Iranian authorities.
State television did not mention the outage. Instead, its morning broadcast focused on food subsidy announcements.
Exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi strongly condemned the government's actions. He accused it of deliberately silencing citizens demanding political and economic change. In a post on X, he urged the international community to use all available technical, financial, and diplomatic means to restore communications. His goal is to ensure the voices of Iranians can be heard.
International Reactions and Growing Tensions
The protests have drawn sharp reactions from the United States. President Donald Trump warned Iran's leadership against using deadly force on protesters. He threatened severe consequences if killings occur.
Trump stated that Washington is closely tracking the deadly protests in Iran. He said the US is considering possible military responses. When asked how the United States would react if Iran attacked American military bases, Trump warned, We will hit them at levels that they've never been hit before.
Vice President JD Vance reiterated Washington's support for peaceful demonstrators. The US State Department issued an unusually blunt message in Persian directed at Iran's leadership.
Russia denounced what it described as efforts by foreign powers to interfere in Iran's internal affairs. This statement followed US threats to intervene over Tehran's deadly crackdown on protesters. In a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu strongly condemned attempts by foreign powers to interfere in Iran's internal affairs. This marks Moscow's first official response to the widespread unrest.
The United Kingdom's Foreign Minister also urged an end to what he called the horrific and brutal repression of the Iran protests.
Origins and Spread of the Unrest
The unrest began on December 28. It was initially sparked by Tehran shopkeepers protesting the rapid fall of the Iranian rial. University students later joined the demonstrations. The protests spread across all 31 provinces of Iran.
Chants increasingly targeted Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Demonstrations that started with economic grievances have expanded into broader anti-government rallies. They are drawing students and ordinary citizens into the streets.
As international pressure mounts and communication blackouts tighten, the situation inside Iran remains volatile. There is no clear indication of how the standoff between protesters and the state will unfold. The country remains on edge as protests challenge its leadership amid growing international scrutiny.
