Protests have erupted across Iran following a call for demonstrations from the country’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. Despite a nationwide internet shutdown and a ban on international phone calls, thousands of Iranians took to the streets into Friday morning, expressing their discontent with the current government. Activists shared short videos online, allegedly showing protesters chanting against the Iranian leadership while gathering around bonfires in various cities, including the capital, Tehran.
On Friday, Iranian state media reported on the protests for the first time, claiming that “terrorist agents” from the U.S. and Israel were responsible for inciting violence and starting fires. They also mentioned that there were “casualties” but did not provide further details. Due to the communication blackout, the extent of the protests remains unclear, yet they signify a significant escalation in unrest that has been building over the country’s struggling economy.
This wave of demonstrations marks a crucial test for Crown Prince Pahlavi, whose father fled Iran on the eve of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The protests have seen some participants openly supporting the shah, a sentiment that could have led to severe repercussions in the past but now highlights the deep-seated anger among the populace. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 42 individuals have died in connection with the protests, and over 2,270 have been arrested.
Pahlavi issued his call for protests on the evening of Thursday, March 14, 2024, and urged Iranians to assemble again at 8 p.m. on Friday. Holly Dagres, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, noted that the former crown prince’s appeals resonated strongly with the public. “What turned the tide of the protests was former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi’s calls for Iranians to take to the streets at 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday,” she stated. “Per social media posts, it became clear that Iranians had delivered and were taking the call seriously to protest in order to oust the Islamic Republic.”
The internet shutdown appears to have been implemented to curtail the flow of information regarding the protests, thereby limiting the visibility of the demonstrators’ actions to the outside world. “This is exactly why the internet was shut down: to prevent the world from seeing the protests. Unfortunately, it also likely provided cover for security forces to kill protesters,” Dagres added.
As the situation unfolds, the Iranian government faces growing pressure from both domestic and international observers. The protests, rooted in economic grievances, have transformed into a broader call for political change, challenging the authority of the current regime. With the international community closely monitoring the developments, the outcome of these protests could have significant implications for the future of Iran.
