Iran is witnessing one of its largest waves of protests in recent years as citizens take to the streets to express their discontent with the country's economic conditions and political leadership. The demonstrations, which have spread to all 31 provinces, have been marked by calls for the overthrow of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the return of Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last shah.

Nationwide Protests and Internet Blackout

On Thursday, massive crowds gathered in major cities, including Tehran and Mashhad, chanting slogans such as "Death to the dictator" and "Long live the shah." Verified footage showed protesters removing surveillance cameras and clashing with security forces. In response, a nationwide internet blackout was reported, a tactic previously used by Iranian authorities to curb the spread of unrest. NetBlocks, an internet freedom monitor, confirmed the outages, which were particularly severe in the western city of Kermanshah.

Rising Casualties and Arrests

Human rights organizations have raised alarms over the increasing violence. The Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) reported that at least 45 protesters, including eight children, have been killed by security forces since the protests began. The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) reported similar figures, with over 2,000 protesters arrested. Amnesty International accused Iranian authorities of using unlawful force, including raiding hospitals to detain the wounded.

Calls for Change and International Attention

The protests were sparked by the collapse of the Iranian currency and have been fueled by broader economic grievances. Reza Pahlavi, speaking from Washington, D.C., called on Iranians to unite in their demands for freedom. His call was echoed in the streets, where chants of "This is the final battle! Pahlavi will return" were heard. The unrest has drawn international attention, with rights groups urging restraint and accountability from Iranian authorities.