Protests across Iran have escalated into what observers describe as a full-blown revolution, entering a critical third week as the nation's Supreme Leader signals a severe government crackdown. The Iranian regime, largely cut off from global communications, faces sustained internal rebellion with a significant human cost.
Communication Blackout and Rising Casualties
With internet access severed and phone lines cut, obtaining reliable information from within Iran has become increasingly difficult for the outside world. Despite this information blockade, reports confirm a grim and escalating toll. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency states that at least 65 people have been killed and more than 2,300 detained since the widespread demonstrations began.
Iranian state television, one of the few official channels broadcasting, has reported casualties among security forces while asserting government control. It has aired footage of pro-regime rallies, often accompanied by the martial orchestral piece 'Epic of Khorramshahr', a song symbolising national resistance that has also been used by protesters.
Defiance and Crackdown: A Nation Divided
The official narrative of calm has been directly challenged by verified evidence from the ground. Video verified by the Associated Press showed significant demonstrations involving thousands of people in Tehran's Saadat Abad area. Furthermore, surveillance footage released by the semi-official Fars news agency, linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard, depicted intense clashes in Isfahan, showing a protester with a long gun and others hurling petrol bombs.
Reports of violence against authorities have surfaced. The state-associated Young Journalists' Club announced that three members of the Basij volunteer force were killed in Gachsaran, with additional security personnel reported dead in Hamadan, Bandar Abbas, and Gilan provinces.
International Reactions and Regime's Stance
The international community, led by the United States, has voiced strong support for the protesters. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared on social media platform X that "The United States supports the brave people of Iran." The US State Department issued a stark warning to the Iranian regime, referencing President Trump's resolve: "Do not play games with President Trump. When he says he'll do something, he means it."
Despite these external pressures, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed a harsh response, setting the stage for a potential intensification of the regime's clampdown. The protests, which have seen women cutting their hair in a gesture reminiscent of the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests, continue to challenge the foundations of the Islamic Republic, promising profound implications for the future of Iran and the wider Middle East.
