Iran Protests Surge into 13th Day: Internet Blackout, 22 Dead, and Calls for U.S. Intervention
TEHRAN — Anti-government protests across Iran have entered their 13th consecutive day, marked by a nationwide internet blackout, a rising death toll of at least 22, and growing calls for intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump, as demonstrators defy security forces amid economic woes and demands for regime change.
The unrest, which began escalating around late December 2025, has spread to multiple cities including Zahedan in southeast Iran and at least 16 other towns, according to BBC-verified videos. Protesters have chanted slogans against the government, with reports of tear gas deployments and hoarse voices from demonstrators like Majid, who described to Newsmax how "all are in the streets" despite the crackdown. Economic grievances, long simmering due to inflation, sanctions, and currency devaluation, appear to be fueling the defiance.
A notable escalation occurred earlier this week when protesters in Tehran renamed a street after President Trump, appealing for his protection and hinting at fears of U.S. intervention if demonstrators face harm. This symbolic act underscores the protesters' desperation and international dimensions of the crisis.
Exiled Crown Prince Emerges as Protest Symbol
Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last shah, has rapidly become a central figure in the unrest, nearly 50 years after the 1979 Islamic Revolution ousted his father Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Protesters are openly calling for Pahlavi's return, positioning him as a potential alternative leader. In an X post on Friday, Pahlavi made an "urgent and immediate call" to Trump for "attention, support, and action" to aid the demonstrators.
Newsmax highlighted Pahlavi's efforts to reinsert himself into Iranian politics, despite the historical baggage of his father's regime, which faced massive street protests leading to its downfall. Analysts, including a CNN piece, suggest the Iranian regime's traditional tactics—such as internet shutdowns and force—may be faltering this time, as protests continue to grow despite restrictions.
Government Response: Blackouts and Disruptions
Iranian authorities have imposed a near-total internet blackout to curb communications, a move CNN reported alongside videos of widespread demonstrations. This echoes past protests, including the 2022 Mahsa Amini unrest, where similar restrictions were used to limit information flow.
The crackdown has led to practical disruptions, with airlines from Turkey, Qatar, the UAE, and Azerbaijan canceling flights to and from Iranian cities, Anadolu Agency reported. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell voiced "concern" over Iran's "heavy-handed" response in Tehran, stating, "Any violence against peaceful demonstrators is unacceptable."
At least 22 people have died in the clashes, though exact figures remain unverified amid the information vacuum.
Historical Context and Broader Implications
Iran has a long history of civil unrest, from the 2009 Green Movement to the 2019 fuel price protests and the 2022 women's rights demonstrations. The current wave, unfolding since early January 2026 with high severity, builds on these, amplified by ongoing economic pressures and regional tensions.
The involvement of Pahlavi revives monarchist sentiments suppressed for decades, while appeals to Trump signal protesters' hopes for external pressure on Tehran. The regime, facing internal dissent and external scrutiny, has relied on its "old playbook," as CNN described—deploying security forces and digital controls—but widespread participation suggests limited success so far.
Outlook Amid Defiance
As protests persist into Friday, with reports of gatherings in Tehran and beyond, the situation remains fluid. Demonstrators' resilience, coupled with international attention from the EU and exiled figures like Pahlavi, could intensify pressure on the government. Flight disruptions and blackouts indicate the unrest's tangible impact, while calls for U.S. involvement raise risks of escalation.
Iranian authorities have not issued detailed public statements on the protests' scale, but the combination of defiance on the streets and global monitoring points to a critical juncture for the Islamic Republic.
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