On Thursday, Iran was plunged into a significant internet blackout, according to monitoring groups, as protests demanding the ousting of the Islamic government spread rapidly across multiple cities. Witnesses reported that the scale of the protests grew larger, despite a heavy-handed response from authorities. The internet shutdown occurred just a day after Iranian officials, including the heads of the judiciary and security services, threatened to enact stringent measures against anyone participating in the demonstrations.
Despite the threats issued by authorities, demonstrators took to the streets in large numbers. Telephone interviews with over a dozen witnesses indicated that substantial crowds formed on Thursday night in various neighborhoods of Tehran, the capital, as well as in other cities such as Mashhad, Bushehr, Shiraz, and Isfahan. The participants in these protests were notably diverse, encompassing men and women of all ages. Many individuals who spoke out during these interviews requested anonymity for fear of government retribution.
One resident of Tehran reported that the protesters were chanting slogans such as “Death to Khamenei,” in reference to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with calls for “freedom.” These chants resonated throughout the affluent neighborhood of Shahrak Gharb in Tehran, which had previously remained quiet during earlier protests. Videos captured on Thursday night depicted scenes of unrest, with government buildings set ablaze across the country, including in Tehran.
Initially, the protests were mostly peaceful; however, as the night progressed, violence erupted in Tehran. Demonstrators began setting fire to cars, buildings, and various items in the streets. A verified video by The New York Times showed chaotic scenes in Kaj Square, where thousands of protesters gathered. In the suburb of Karaj, west of Tehran, another verified video depicted protesters fleeing after gunshots were heard, although it remains unclear whether the shots were fired by security forces or others amidst the chaos.
The recent events highlight the ongoing struggle for freedom and reform in Iran, as citizens express their discontent with the current regime. As the situation develops, the world watches closely to see how these protests will unfold and what actions the government may take in response to this widespread unrest.