Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has vowed to crack down on protesters, describing them as 'vandals' and 'saboteurs' and blaming the US for instigating the unrest. In his first speech since demonstrations began on 28 December, he accused protesters of working on behalf of foreign agendas, specifically referencing US President Donald Trump.
The protests, which began after a sudden depreciation of the Iranian currency, have quickly escalated into demands for political reform and an end to the regime's rule. On Friday, new protests erupted in cities including Tehran, Mashhad, Tabriz and Qom, with demonstrators chanting anti-government slogans such as 'death to Khamenei'.
At least 51 people, including nine children, have been killed by security forces, according to Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights, while more than 2,270 others have been detained. The US-based Human Rights Activists news agency reported at least 50 deaths. An internet blackout, now in place for 36 hours, has severely limited the flow of information out of the country.
The head of Iran's judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, warned that consequences for demonstrators would be 'decisive, maximum and without any legal leniency'. Meanwhile, the leaders of France, Germany and the UK issued a joint statement urging Iran to exercise restraint and uphold the fundamental rights of its citizens.
Amnesty International condemned the internet shutdown, saying it aims to hide the true extent of human rights violations. The protests are the biggest in Iran since the 2022-2023 movement sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, and the regime appears more vulnerable due to economic hardship and recent conflicts with Israel and the US.
