Iran's nationwide protests meet deadly crackdown as future remains unclear

Independent.co reports that mass protests have erupted across Iran, with demonstrators calling for regime change and, in some areas, for a return to the monarchy toppled in 1979. The government has responded with a violent crackdown: an official told Reuters that as many as 2,000 people could have been killed, more than 10,000 have been arrested and a nationwide communications blackout is largely in place.

Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened military action, cancelled meetings with Iranian officials, urged protesters to continue and said “help is on its way”, while the regime has warned it would strike Israeli and US targets if attacked. Experts quoted in the report describe this as possibly the gravest existential threat to Iran’s clerical rulers.

Analysts set out a range of scenarios. The worst case is a bloodier crackdown that quashes the movement; as Negar Mortazavi notes, the regime still holds a monopoly on arms and force. Alternatively, US strikes or harsher sanctions — including 25 per cent tariffs announced by Mr Trump and orders for US citizens to leave Iran — could intensify pressure, though observers such as Bilal Y Saab say the effects could range “from disaster to deliverance”.

Key Topics

World, Iran, Irgc, Donald Trump, Reza Pahlavi, Basij