Huge Anti-Government Protests in Tehran and Other Iranian Cities: Videos Show
Huge crowds of protesters have taken to the streets of Tehran and other cities, marking what many are calling the most significant demonstration against the clerical establishment in years. The peaceful protests, which unfolded on Thursday evening, were notable for their scale and were not interrupted by security forces. Verified footage shared by BBC Persian highlights the intensity of the situation as groups of protesters call for significant political change.
Key Developments in the Protests
– Nationwide Unrest: The demonstrations have spread across more than 100 cities and towns throughout all 31 provinces of Iran, following the collapse of the Iranian currency.
– Casualties Reported: As noted by human rights organizations:
– Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) reports at least 34 deaths, including five children, with 2,270 arrests.
– Iran Human Rights (IHR) states that at least 45 protesters have died, including eight children.
– Verified reports by BBC Persian confirm the identities of 22 deceased individuals.
– Chants for Change: Protesters have been heard calling for the overthrow of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the return of Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last king. Notable chants include:
– “Long live the shah!”
– “This is the final battle! Pahlavi will return”
– Digital Censorship: Later in the evening, a monitoring group reported a nationwide internet blackout, restricting communication amidst the protests. Internet watchdog NetBlocks indicated that these measures hinder public discourse during a critical time.
Visual Evidence of Protests
– Key Locations:
– In Mashhad, protesters were seen removing surveillance cameras while chanting revolutionary slogans.
– Videos from eastern Tehran depicted large crowds expressing their demands loudly and clearly.
– Protesters in the central city of Isfahan were filmed shouting “Death to the dictator,” a direct criticism of Khamenei.
Response from Authorities
Iranian state media has downplayed the protests and, in some instances, denied their occurrence. There have been claims of empty streets despite the evident unrest. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged security forces to exercise “utmost restraint” in dealing with the demonstrations, while Khamenei advised that the government should engage with peaceful protesters but maintain a firm stance against “rioters.”
Background and Context
The protests began on December 28, triggered by a sharp fall in the value of the Iranian rial against the US dollar, which has reached an all-time low amid soaring inflation of over 40%. The economic turmoil has intensified public dissatisfaction, leading students and various demographics to join the protests, many voicing their frustration over the clerical regime.
A woman from Tehran expressed feelings of despair: “We’re living in limbo. I feel like I’m hanging in the air.” Another protester from Ilam noted the surprising participation of young individuals from families allied with the regime, symbolizing widespread discontent across different societal groups.
The ongoing protests are being described as the most extensive since the upheaval sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death in custody last year, which resulted in over 550 fatalities and 20,000 arrests during the crackdown.
As the situation develops, the world watches closely, hoping for an end to the violence and for the voices of ordinary Iranians to be heard amid this wave of unrest.