Iran protests intensify by the minute; Revolutionary Guards draw ‘red line’

Tehran: Iran is witnessing its most serious wave of unrest in years as anti-government protests entered their twelfth consecutive day on Saturday, despite a sweeping internet blackout and an expanding security crackdown.

The protests, initially triggered by soaring food prices and the collapse of the national currency, have evolved into open calls for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic and have spread across all 31 provinces.

Amid the escalating unrest, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said safeguarding security was a “red line”, signalling a tougher response to demonstrations. The warning followed a statement by Iran’s army vowing to “resolutely protect and safeguard national interests, strategic infrastructure and public property”, while urging citizens to remain vigilant against what it described as enemy plots.

Rights groups have reported that at least 65 people have been killed and more than 2,300 detained since the protests began. Independent verification of casualty figures remains difficult due to a nationwide internet and international phone blackout that has been in place for over 36 hours. Videos circulating on social media, which could not be independently verified, show large crowds chanting anti-regime slogans, burning vehicles and clashes with security forces in cities including Tehran and Mashhad.

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

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused protesters of serving foreign interests and warned that they would be dealt with decisively. State media has labelled demonstrators as “rioters” and “terrorists”, reporting incidents such as the burning of a municipal building in Karaj, while also broadcasting funerals of security personnel killed during unrest.

The protests have also drawn sharp international reactions. US President Donald Trump warned Iran against killing protesters, threatening that the United States would strike Iran “very, very hard” if violence escalates further. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington “supports the brave people of Iran”. European Union leaders, along with Australia and Canada, have condemned the reported use of lethal force and called for restraint.

Exiled former crown prince Reza Pahlavi has urged Iranians to continue nightly protests and called for efforts to seize and hold city centres, further energising demonstrators. Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister has insisted that the country remains stable despite sanctions and unrest.

With flights to and from Iran suspended by several international airlines and schools and universities shifting to online classes, the crisis shows no immediate signs of easing as authorities harden their stance and protests continue across the country.