WITH THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Protests Reported Across Iran After Reza Pahlavi Call, as Internet Blackout Obscures Full Picture
Fresh demonstrations were reported in multiple Iranian cities late Saturday after exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi urged supporters to take to the streets and “seize” city centers, while a nationwide communications crackdown made independent verification difficult.
Iran International reported it received reports of large crowds in several locations, including parts of Tehran and Mashhad, as protesters gathered in streets and squares and chanted anti-government slogans. In earlier days of the unrest, BBC Persian coverage also described the protests as spreading beyond the capital to additional cities, amid reports of force used to disperse crowds.
Call to Mobilize and Reports of Crowds in Tehran and Other Cities
According to Iran International, Reza Pahlavi had called on people to appear at 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (20 and 21 Dey in the Iranian calendar) and prepare to take over central urban areas, a message that coincided with renewed street gatherings. Iran International’s updates described demonstrations in a range of Tehran neighborhoods, including Pasdaran and areas around Heravi, alongside reports from other major cities.
BBC Persian video reporting from earlier in the week showed signs of unrest in Tehran’s south as well, including footage described as coming from Yaftabad, where shopkeepers and protesters were seen facing a heavy presence of anti-riot forces. BBC Persian also reported that the movement had widened geographically as demonstrations and strikes were said to be occurring in multiple cities.
Strikes, Street Protests, and Chants Captured on Video
BBC Persian’s reported the unrest included business shutdowns and protest gatherings, citing domestic Iranian media reports of closures and demonstrations in Shiraz, Kerman, Rasht, and Kermanshah, while stating that images it received suggested protests in additional locations. Separate BBC Persian videos from the same time framework showed unrest in Shiraz that included tear gas and burning tires, and footage from Bandar Abbas in which crowds chanted slogans including references to Reza Pahlavi and broader anti-government messaging.
Iran International’s live updates from Saturday described demonstrations featuring a mix of chants and protest tactics, including car horns and street gatherings, and said it had received videos from areas of Tehran and other cities. BBC Persian’s Yaftabad footage similarly depicted chanting and street-level mobilization amid a visible security presence.
Communications Crackdown and Competing Narratives
Iran International reported that Iran has experienced a major internet shutdown for roughly two days, citing NetBlocks’ public statements indicating the country was effectively offline and that the outage was hampering the flow of information. Iran International also stressed that the connectivity restrictions made it harder to verify the scale and precise locations of events described in videos and eyewitness messages.
BBC Persian’s coverage of the broader unrest has likewise relied heavily on received videos and reports, describing allegations of tear gas use and arrests as protests spread into universities and additional cities earlier in the wave. Together, the reports underscore the difficulty of assessing the full scope of events during periods of tightened communications and limited access for journalists.
International Reactions Reported by Iran International
Iran International reported a range of international political reactions to the unrest, including statements of support for protesters and condemnations of violent suppression. Among those cited by the outlet were messages attributed to U.S. officials and European leaders, including comments presented as backing protesters and criticizing crackdowns.
BBC Persian reported earlier in the current wave that demonstrations were fueled by economic grievances and price pressures, and that protests moved into more cities—including Isfahan, Kermanshah, Shiraz, and Yazd—with allegations of tear gas use to disperse crowds. BBC Persian later described the situation as evolving into a combination of street protests and strikes, with claims of closures and demonstrations spanning multiple urban centers.
Iran International, for its part, has framed the latest mobilizations as part of a broader nationwide protest movement, emphasizing continued street presence and the effect of internet restrictions on reporting.
What We Know — and What We Still Can’t Confirm
Reported gatherings: Iran International reported it received reports of widespread street protests in multiple Iranian cities on Saturday night, including Tehran and Mashhad.
Strikes and shutdowns: BBC Persian reported that business closures and demonstrations were being reported in several cities, while also suggesting protests extended beyond those locations.
Internet disruption: Iran International cited NetBlocks in describing Iran as largely offline for about 48 hours, complicating verification.
Photo: BBC