Iran unrest widens as blackout deepens

In Iran, nationwide protests stretched into their 13th day on Friday as demonstrators returned to the streets for a second night following a call by exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi, with authorities enforcing a sweeping internet blackout and threatening severe punishment. According to reports, protesters are blocking major roads, setting fire to police vehicles, and chanting anti-government slogans as security forces attempted to disperse crowds. Chants of “Death to the dictator” and “Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life for Iran” echoed through the capital, while car horns blared continuously in what witnesses described as coordinated acts of defiance. Demonstrations have spread across major cities and provinces despite a nationwide internet and phone blackout.

In southeastern Iran, rights groups reported that security forces fired directly on protesters in Zahedan after Friday prayers, wounding several people. Tehran’s public prosecutor, Ali Salehi, said those accused of arson, destruction of public property or armed clashes with security forces would face charges of moharebeh, an offense that carries the death penalty under Iranian law. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards intelligence organization also issued a warning saying the continuation of protests was “unacceptable.” Education officials announced that schools in several provinces would move to online classes, citing security concerns and disruptions caused by the blackout.

Exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi urged protesters to return to the streets over the weekend.He also said he was preparing to return to Iran and stand alongside protesters at what he described as a decisive moment. Several airlines, including Flydubai and Turkish Airlines, cancelled flights to Iran as unrest intensified, underscoring the widening international impact of a crisis entering its second week. The Center for Human Rights in Iran said on Friday that it has grave and urgent concerns that Iranian security forces may be carrying out lethal repression under the cover of the internet shutdown. The group said it has received credible first-hand reports of hospitals overwhelmed with injured protesters in several cities and has documented the use of live ammunition by security forces.