Iran's Capital Erupts in Anti-Government Protests After Exiled Crown Prince's Call

Tehran, Iran - In a significant escalation of protests that have swept across the country, residents of Iran's capital took to the streets and voiced their dissent from their homes on Thursday night, following a call to action by the country's exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi. The protests, which have been fueled by Iran's economic woes, represent a test of the public's willingness to rally behind Pahlavi, whose father fled the country just before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The demonstrations, which began on Wednesday and continued into Thursday, have seen widespread closures of markets and bazaars in support of the protesters. At least 39 people have been killed in violence surrounding the protests, while over 2,260 others have been detained, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. The protests have put pressure on Iran's civilian government and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has yet to crack down heavily on the demonstrators. While authorities have selectively blocked internet access, they have not fully shut down the internet or flooded the streets with security forces, unlike during the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests. Despite the protests remaining leaderless, Pahlavi's call for demonstrations has sparked a mix of reactions, with some chanting in support of the shah, while others have praised Pahlavi's potential return to power. The protests have also drawn attention from the international community, with U.S. President Donald Trump warning of potential intervention if Tehran 'violently kills peaceful protesters.' The protests, which have been characterized as the biggest since the death of Mahsa Amini, have been fueled by Iran's economic struggles, including a collapsed currency and high inflation. Demonstrators have been calling for an end to the Islamic Republic and the patriarchal, dictatorial regime. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains unclear how Pahlavi's call will affect the demonstrations moving forward. However, one thing is certain - the Iranian people are demanding change, and their voices are being heard both locally and internationally.