Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi Calls for Continued Mass Protests Across Iran

Exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi has publicly called for continued mass protests across Iran, urging opponents of the clerical leadership to sustain demonstrations that began in late December and spread nationwide.

“In a televised address, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei accused demonstrators of “ruining their own streets to make the president of another country happy,” an apparent reference to U”

Al Jazeera

Multiple sources describe these protests as driven by economic hardship and broad anti-regime sentiment.

Al Jazeera

DW says Iran "has seen nearly two weeks of mass anti-government protests over economic hardship and opposition to the clerical regime."

Newsweek reports the unrest "turned into broad anti-regime demonstrations, with crowds chanting against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and reviving praise for exiled claimant Reza Pahlavi."

Al Jazeera quotes Pahlavi calling on opposition forces to "prepare to seize and hold city centres" and reporting he "plans to return to Iran soon."

The Indian Express and Hindustan Times link the wave to a currency crash and a call to protest by Pahlavi, describing the unrest as widespread across provinces and cities.

Authorities have responded with a severe security crackdown, widespread arrests and a near-total communications blackout that has made independent verification difficult.

Several sources report mass detentions and deaths.

Al Jazeera

Hindustan Times cites authorities saying at least 42 people have died and more than 2,270 have been detained.

Al Jazeera cites Norway-based Iran Human Rights saying security forces have killed at least 51 people.

Tovima reports HRANA saying at least 65 people have been killed and more than 2,300 detained.

BBC, CNA and The Independent all note that communication restrictions, including an internet and international-call blackout that firms such as Cloudflare and NetBlocks described as deliberate, have hindered independent confirmation of casualty figures.

Reza Pahlavi's role is portrayed differently across outlets: some depict him as a symbolic rallying figure who has helped mobilize demonstrators, while others stress the protests are largely leaderless and driven by young people.

“Protests across Iran continued into Friday night amid a near-total internet blackout and restrictions on international reporters, making independent verification difficult”

BBC

DW reports that analysts see him as having significant support inside Iran, though not all protesters back him; Newsweek describes him as a symbolic rallying figure; and tovima published an exclusive interview with a longtime confidant and strategic adviser, highlighting a monarchist organizational angle.

By contrast, The Indian Express and other outlets emphasize a largely leaderless youth movement protesting social controls, foreign policy, and the clerical establishment.

International reactions and diplomatic responses vary in tone and implied threats.

Several Western outlets reported strong criticism of Tehran's actions and warnings from foreign leaders, while Iran denounced foreign interference.

CityNews Toronto

Newsweek and News24online highlighted U.S. President Donald Trump's warnings, with Newsweek saying he warned of a 'hard' response and threatened strikes and News24online reporting Washington could carry out military strikes if Iranian authorities kill demonstrators.

European and UN actors urged protection of protesters and restoration of internet access, while Iranian leaders accused foreign plots and some state media labelled demonstrators 'terrorist agents' or 'vandals'.

Reports portray the situation on the ground as urgent but uncertain, with multiple outlets describing hospitals overwhelmed and scenes of arson and clashes.

“Protests have erupted across Iran and authorities have imposed an internet blackout as unrest intensifies, with state and semi-official media reporting clashes and fires”

CNA

Outlets warn that exact conditions and casualty counts are unclear because of a communications shutdown.

CNA

The Jerusalem Post quotes doctors saying hospitals recorded about 217 dead and were overwhelmed, while BBC and The Independent stress independent verification is limited and BBC Persian has verified 26 deaths.

The Daily Mail and The Independent report security forces firing on protesters, and state TV denounces demonstrators as 'vandals' and 'saboteurs'.

Analysts describe the unrest as one of the most serious domestic challenges to the clerical system in years, but blackouts and competing tallies mean precise facts remain contested.