The Return of the Shah’s Son: Reza Pahlavi Calls for Seizing Iranian Cities
The largest anti government uprising to hit Iran in years has plunged the nation into a bloody blackout, with fears mounting that the death toll is far higher than officially acknowledged. Amidst a near total internet shutdown that has severed the country from the outside world for over 36 hours, reports have emerged of security forces using live ammunition against demonstrators. While the US based Human Rights Activists News Agency confirmed at least 65 deaths since late December, Time magazine cited local medical sources estimating over 217 fatalities in Tehran alone. The regime’s response has been draconian Iran’s prosecutor general has warned that all detainees will be charged as an "enemy of God" (moharebeh) a sweeping accusation that carries the death penalty promising trials without leniency for anyone labeled a "rioter" or "mercenary."
The unrest, initially sparked by a currency crisis and deteriorating living conditions, has morphed into a coordinated movement for regime change, galvanized by Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the former Shah. From the US, Pahlavi has urged protesters to move beyond marching and "prepare to seize city centers," while calling for crippling strikes in the critical oil, gas, and transportation sectors. In response, the regular army has pledged loyalty to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and state media is attempting to frame the unrest as the work of "armed terrorists" and foreign agents.
Geopolitical tensions are spiking alongside the violence. As chants of "Death to the dictator" ring out across provinces, President Donald Trump has publicly warned the regime against killing its citizens, stating the US "stands ready to help" as Iran looks toward freedom. Simultaneously, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi arrived in Tehran on Saturday, fueling speculation of a back channel message from Washington, given Oman’s history of mediating nuclear talks. With European leaders calling for restraint and the internet still dark, the situation remains volatile, with the potential for a major pivot in the Middle East's balance of power.