Washington D.C. – US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Iranian authorities on Thursday, threatening severe consequences if they resort to violence against protesters as Iran protests nationwide continue to intensify. During an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump made clear his administration’s position on the unfolding situation. “I have let them know that if they start killing people, which they tend to do during their riots — they have lots of riots — if they do it, we are going to hit them very hard,” the president stated, signaling strong US intervention if Iranian authorities crack down violently on demonstrators.
Understanding the Iran Protests Nationwide Movement
The Iran protests nationwide have emerged as the most significant civil unrest since the demonstrations following Mahsa Amini’s death. These widespread protests stem from a severe economic crisis that has gripped the Islamic Republic, pushing citizens across urban and rural areas to take to the streets demanding change. On Thursday night, residents of Iran’s capital poured into the streets and shouted slogans from their homes, responding to a call by the country’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi for mass demonstrations. This marked a critical escalation in the Iran protests nationwide that have spread across multiple cities and towns.
Communication Blackout During Iran Protests Nationwide
As the Iran protests nationwide intensified, Iranian authorities moved swiftly to suppress information flow. Internet access and telephone services were cut almost immediately after the protests began on Thursday evening. Internet company Cloudflare and digital rights group NetBlocks reported widespread outages, directly attributing them to Iranian government interference. This communication blackout represents a familiar tactic employed by authorities to prevent coordination among protesters and limit international visibility of the Iran protests nationwide, making it difficult for demonstrators to organize and for the outside world to monitor events.
Crown Prince’s Call Mobilizes Iran Protests Nationwide
The demonstrations represent the first major test of whether Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, whose father fled Iran shortly before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, could successfully mobilize the Iranian public. Pahlavi had specifically called for demonstrations at 8 pm local time on Thursday and Friday. When the designated time arrived, witnesses reported that neighborhoods across Tehran erupted in chants. “Great nation of Iran, the eyes of the world are upon you. Take to the streets and, as a united front, shout your demands,” Pahlavi stated, directly encouraging the Iran protests nationwide to continue and expand.
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Protesters’ Demands and Revolutionary Slogans
The Iran protests nationwide have featured bold anti-government rhetoric that demonstrates the depth of public anger. Protesters shouted slogans including “Death to the dictator!” and “Death to the Islamic Republic!” Significantly, some demonstrations have included chants supporting the shah, with protesters declaring “This is the last battle! Pahlavi will return!” Such expressions once could have carried the death penalty but now reflect how drastically public sentiment has shifted. Thousands were visible on the streets despite government attempts to suppress the Iran protests nationwide through communication blackouts and security presence.
Casualties and Detentions Mount
The human cost of the Iran protests nationwide has been substantial. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 41 people have been killed and more than 2,270 detained so far. These figures underscore the violent response from authorities and the risks protesters face when participating in demonstrations. The mounting casualties have increased international pressure on Iran’s civilian government and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with the Trump administration now explicitly warning of consequences for further bloodshed during the Iran protests nationwide.
Economic Crisis Fuels Iran Protests Nationwide
Thursday’s unrest followed protests that had erupted on Wednesday in cities and rural towns throughout the country. The Iran protests nationwide have been driven primarily by Iran’s struggling economy, which has left many citizens desperate and angry. More markets and bazaars closed in solidarity with demonstrators, showing widespread support for the movement even among business communities. The economic hardship has created conditions where large segments of the population are willing to risk government retaliation to demand change.
Pressure Intensifies on Iranian Leadership
As the Iran protests nationwide grow in scale and intensity, pressure is mounting on both Iran’s civilian government and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Crown Prince Pahlavi directly warned Iranian authorities in his statement: “I warn the Islamic Republic, its leader and the Revolutionary Guard that the world and President Donald Trump are closely watching you. Suppression of the people will not go unanswered.” Despite the scale of the unrest, the protest movement has largely remained leaderless, making it unclear how much sustained impact Pahlavi’s call will have in the coming days.
International Attention on Iran Protests Nationwide
The Iran protests nationwide have captured global attention, with the international community closely monitoring developments. Whether the demonstrations reflect genuine support for Pahlavi himself or simply a broader longing for life before the 1979 Islamic Revolution remains unclear. However, what is certain is that the Iran protests nationwide represent a critical moment for the Islamic Republic, testing both the government’s willingness to use force and the protesters’ determination to demand fundamental change despite severe risks and government suppression efforts.
