New video from Tehran shows “streets of fury” as massive crowds marched through the Iranian capital overnight. Several government buildings and vehicles were reportedly set on fire as the anti-regime demonstrations intensified.
The chaos comes as the hardline Islamist regime plunged the nation into a total internet blackout. Officials reportedly cut all online communications in a desperate bid to stop the coordination of protests.
Despite the blackout, reports indicate the demonstrations have now entered their second week. The death toll across major cities has reportedly reached 44 as security forces struggle to contain the unrest.
President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to the regime on Thursday regarding the violence. He stated that the United States is “locked and loaded” to intervene if peaceful protesters are killed.
The President warned that Iranian leaders will be “hit very hard” if they continue to use lethal force. This message was broadcast directly to the Iranian people via the State Department’s Farsi channels.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed the threats and signaled a further clampdown. He accused the protesters of “ruining their own streets” to satisfy the interests of the American president.
Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has called for even larger demonstrations through the weekend. He praised the “massive crowds” for forcing repressive security forces to retreat in several districts.
State-run media in Iran continues to blame “terrorist agents” from the U.S. and Israel for the fires. They have labeled the uprising a foreign-backed plot rather than a domestic movement.
The internet blackout has severely restricted the flow of information out of the country. However, smuggled clips continue to show citizens chanting “Death to the Dictator” around large bonfires.
The Trump administration has made it clear that they will not remain silent like past administrations. Activists say this support is emboldening the youth of Iran to take unprecedented risks.
Military experts are watching the region closely as U.S. naval assets remain in the area. The President has tied the fate of the Iranian regime to its treatment of the people in the streets.