Demonstrations were reported Saturday in several Iranian cities, including Tehran, marking the 14th consecutive day of nationwide protests that have intensified in recent days and are increasingly viewed by observers as a serious challenge to the Islamic Republic’s leadership.
It remained unclear whether turnout would match the large crowds seen on Thursday and Friday, in part because Iran has imposed a sweeping internet shutdown since Thursday evening, now exceeding 50 hours. International telephone lines have also been cut, according to rights groups and foreign media.
Trump Signals Support for Protesters
As criticism mounts over the authorities’ violent crackdown—reported by activists to have killed dozens in recent days—U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: “Iran wants freedom, perhaps like it has never wanted before. The U.S. is ready to help!!!”
Earlier, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump administration officials have held initial discussions on potential military options against Iran, should intervention be deemed necessary. U.S. officials told the paper that while possible targets were discussed, there is no agreement on a course of action and no signs of imminent military deployment.
One option reportedly under consideration is a large-scale air strike against Iranian military targets, though officials emphasized that planning remains preliminary.
Washington Steps Up Rhetoric
Trump also echoed a statement by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham warning Tehran to take U.S. threats seriously. The U.S. State Department amplified the message on social media, posting a video of a past U.S. operation against Venezuela with the caption: “Don’t play games with President Trump. When he says something, he means it.”
On Friday night, Trump warned Iranian leaders: “You better not start shooting, because then we will shoot too,” adding that Washington was closely monitoring events and would respond forcefully if protesters were deliberately targeted.
Protests Continue in Tehran Neighborhoods
Despite the blackout, opposition outlet Iran International, broadcasting from London, reported demonstrations in several Tehran neighborhoods, including Ponak and Haravi. Video footage showed crowds marching and chanting slogans, including calls supporting exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi.
Saturday marks the start of Iran’s workweek, but schools and universities reportedly switched to distance learning nationwide. While most internet access is blocked, government websites remain accessible.
Human rights groups say the media blackout is intended not only to disrupt protest coordination but also to prevent documentation of the security forces’ actions from reaching the outside world.
Reza Pahlavi Calls for Escalation
Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah and an increasingly prominent figure in the current protests, renewed calls for Iranians to demonstrate on Saturday and Sunday. He urged supporters to prepare to “take over city centers” and called for economic strikes, particularly in the oil and transport sectors, to bring down the government.
Pahlavi, who says he does not seek to restore the monarchy, said he was prepared to return to Iran “very soon.”
Diaspora Rallies Across Europe
Demonstrations by Iranian exiles were held Saturday in several European cities, including Cologne, Berlin, Brussels, Stockholm and London. In London, a protest outside the Iranian embassy saw one demonstrator remove the Islamic Republic’s flag from a balcony and replace it with the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag bearing the lion-and-sun emblem.
State Media Downplays Unrest
Iranian state and semi-official media continued efforts to minimize the scale of the unrest. Tasnim news agency aired footage it said showed calm streets in Tehran and reported that pro-government rallies were planned to condemn what it described as “rioters and armed terrorists.”
State television repeatedly broadcast patriotic music alongside images of regime supporters, a format used during past conflicts.
Despite official efforts to project calm, analysts say the scope of security measures and the prolonged communications blackout suggest growing concern within Iran’s leadership over the protests’ persistence and potential trajectory.
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