Nationwide protests against Iran’s theocracy persisted as demonstrators filled the streets in the capital and the second-largest city, extending into the early hours of Sunday. The protests have now lasted over two weeks, resulting in at least 116 deaths due to the violence surrounding the demonstrations, as reported by activists.
Due to the internet shutdown and severed phone lines in Iran, monitoring the protests from outside the country has become more challenging. The death toll has risen, with 2,600 individuals reportedly detained, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency based in the US. Concerns abroad are mounting that the lack of information flow may empower hard-liners within Iran’s security apparatus to initiate a harsh crackdown, despite warnings from Trump about potential action to safeguard peaceful protesters.
Videos circulated online from Iran, likely transmitted via Starlink satellite technology, depicted protesters gathering in the Punak neighborhood of northern Tehran. The footage showed streets blocked off by authorities, protesters waving illuminated mobile phones, banging on metal objects, and setting off fireworks. Additionally, other videos captured demonstrators peacefully marching and honking car horns on the streets.
The protests in the capital have been characterized by sporadic, brief, and fluid gatherings, adapting to the heavy security presence and pressure in the field, as stated by the Human Rights Activists News Agency. Reports indicated the presence of surveillance drones above protest sites and movements by security forces, suggesting ongoing monitoring and control measures.
In Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city located about 725 kilometers northeast of Tehran, footage displayed protesters clashing with security forces amidst flaming debris and obstructed streets. The city is home to the revered Imam Reza shrine, significant in Shiite Islam.
Protests also occurred in Kerman, approximately 800 kilometers southeast of Tehran. Iranian state television showcased footage on Sunday morning from various cities, emphasizing calm areas with a visible date stamp, while excluding Tehran and Mashhad.
The exiled Crown Prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, urged demonstrators in a recent message to rally on Sunday. Some protesters have expressed support for the former shah during the protests, although it remains unclear if this signifies backing for Pahlavi himself or a desire to revert to the pre-1979 Islamic Revolution era.