TEHRAN — Protests intensified across Iran on Friday night as the death toll continues to rise and President Donald Trump issued a fresh warning of potential U.S. military intervention if the regime continues its violent crackdown.
Despite a nationwide internet blackout and cut telephone lines, demonstrations spread to at least 180 cities. Human rights groups estimate at least 65 people have been killed since the unrest began in late December, while some medical sources in Tehran suggest the figure could exceed 200.
President Trump, speaking on Friday, warned Iranian leaders against using lethal force. “I tell the Iranian leaders you better not start shooting because we’ll start shooting too,” Trump said. He added that any potential U.S. action would not necessarily involve “boots on the ground” but would focus on “hitting them very, very hard where it hurts.”
In response, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Trump of interference, stating the President’s hands were “stained with the blood of Iranians.” State media has categorized the protesters as “terrorists,” while Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei vowed “decisive” punishment without “legal leniency.”
The movement has been further galvanized by the exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who called on Saturday for citizens to seize and hold city centers. Pahlavi, currently abroad, told supporters that his return to Iran is “very near.”
According to the monitoring group NetBlocks, a 36-hour internet blackout remains in place, severely limiting the flow of information and the ability of citizens to contact the outside world.
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