Iran protests enter second week as death toll rises to atleast 116

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Nationwide protests challenging Iran’s theocratic system entered a second week on Sunday, with at least 116 people reported killed amid escalating violence, according to activists.

Assessing the scale of the unrest has become increasingly difficult after authorities cut internet access and international phone lines. However, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said at least 116 people had been killed and more than 2,600 detained. The group has previously provided reliable figures during periods of unrest in Iran.

Fears are growing that the communications blackout could enable a violent crackdown similar to previous protests. Ali Rahmani, son of the imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, warned that hundreds were killed during demonstrations in 2019.

“They are fighting, and losing their lives, against a dictatorial regime,” he said.

Authorities signal hardline crackdown

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has signalled a tougher response despite warnings from Washington. On Saturday, Iran’s attorney general, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, said anyone participating in the protests would be treated as an “enemy of God” — a charge that carries the death penalty. The warning, broadcast on state television, said the accusation would also apply to those who “helped rioters”.

“Prosecutors must carefully and without delay, by issuing indictments, prepare the grounds for the trial and decisive confrontation with those who, by betraying the nation and creating insecurity, seek foreign domination over the country,” the statement said, adding that proceedings should be conducted “without leniency, compassion or indulgence”.

Exiled Crown Prince calls for continued demonstrations

 

Iran’s exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, called for further demonstrations over the weekend, urging protesters to carry the pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun flag and other national symbols to “claim public spaces”.

His backing of Israel has drawn criticism, particularly after the recent 12-day war. While some demonstrators have voiced support for the former shah, it remains unclear whether this reflects backing for Pahlavi himself or a broader rejection of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Online videos suggested protests continued on Saturday night.

Trump expresses support for protestors

US President Donald Trump voiced support for the protesters, writing on social media that “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!” The US State Department later warned Tehran, “Do not play games with President Trump. When he says he’ll do something, he means it.”

Also Read | Trump administration draws up preliminary plans for possible Iran strike: Report

Saturday marked the start of the Iranian working week, though state television said many schools and universities were holding online classes. Internal government websites are believed to be operating.

State TV avoids mention of civilian deaths

State television has focused on casualties among security forces and has sought to project an image of control, while avoiding mention of dead demonstrators. Protesters are increasingly described on air as “terrorists”.

Broadcasters repeatedly aired pro-government rallies accompanied by a martial orchestral piece, 'Epic of Khorramshahr', by composer Majid Entezami — a song associated with Iran’s 1982 recapture of the city during the Iran-Iraq war. The music has also featured in videos of women cutting their hair during protests following the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini.

State TV also showed footage said to depict protesters firing weapons at security forces. A state TV anchor said on Saturday morning that “peace prevailed in most cities”, claiming there had been no gatherings overnight in Tehran or most provinces.

That account was contradicted by video verified by the Associated Press (AP) showing large crowds demonstrating in Tehran’s Saadat Abad district, where chants of “Death to Khamenei!” could be heard.

Also Read | Why Iran’s latest protests are different: Economy, not ideology, at the core 

The semi-official Fars news agency, which is close to the Revolutionary Guard, released surveillance footage it said showed unrest in Isfahan. The video appeared to show a protester firing a long gun while others set fires and threw petrol bombs at what looked like a government compound.

The Young Journalists’ Club, linked to state television, reported that protesters killed three members of the Basij volunteer force in Gachsaran. It also said a security official was stabbed to death in Hamadan province, police officers were killed in Bandar Abbas and Gilan, and one person died in Mashhad.

Another semi-official outlet, Tasnim, said nearly 200 people had been detained as members of what it described as “operational terrorist teams”, alleging they possessed firearms, grenades and petrol bombs.

State television also broadcast images of a funeral attended by hundreds in the religious city of Qom, south of Tehran.

Iran severed internet access and international calls on Thursday, while allowing some state and semi-official media to continue publishing. Qatar-funded Al Jazeera appeared to be the only major foreign broadcaster able to report live from inside the country.

Several airlines have cancelled flights to Iran. Austrian Airlines said it would suspend services as a “precautionary measure” until Monday, while Turkish Airlines earlier cancelled 17 flights to three Iranian cities.

AP