Anti-government protests in Iran continue into their third week

ISTANBUL

Anti-government protests in Iran have entered their third week, with demonstrations spreading nationwide amid an escalating crisis triggered by deepening economic hardship and the sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial.

Many shopkeepers joined a nationwide strike, closing their businesses in response to worsening economic conditions.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that the ongoing protests in the country cannot be described as demonstrations, instead calling them a “terrorist war.”

Speaking at a news conference, Araghchi said: “What is happening now is not protests, it is a terrorist war against the country.”

“Iranian authorities possess audio recordings of voice messages sent to terrorist elements ordering them to open fire on civilians and security forces,” he claimed.

Araghchi said the groups also targeted government buildings, police stations, and shops, and claimed authorities have images showing weapons being distributed among protesters.

The Iranian president said Sunday that his government is determined to address Iran’s economic problems. His remarks were the first since protests that began last month.

Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, called for “decisive action” against what he called “rioters.”

Communication blackouts

A nationwide internet blackout and phone service cutoff have been in effect for over 72 hours, effectively isolating large parts of the population. London-based internet monitoring group NetBlocks said on Sunday that telemetry indicates the nationwide internet restriction “remains firmly in place.”

In clashes near Tehran’s suburbs, an Iranian police officer was reported killed during unrest, underscoring the rising toll on both sides of the conflict.

There are no official casualty figures, but HRANA, a US-based rights group, estimates that the death toll has reached at least 544, including both security forces and protesters, with over 1,000 injured.

HRANA also reported that at least 10,681 people have been detained across protests in 585 locations nationwide, including 186 cities in all 31 provinces.

Government warnings

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei publicly condemned what he described as “collaboration with foreigners,” condemning US President Donald Trump for exploiting public unrest and calling for unity in the nation.

Iranian officials have accused Washington and Tel Aviv of backing the increasingly violent protests, particularly in Tehran, where government buildings, banks, buses, and mosques have been set ablaze by armed protesters in recent days.

International reactions and impacts

Australia urged its citizens to leave Iran “as soon as possible” due to the ongoing violent nationwide protests that could escalate without notice.

President Donald Trump reiterated warnings Saturday to Tehran, stating that Washington was “watching very carefully” and would “hit them very hard where it hurts” if Iranian authorities killed protesters.

Iran’s parliament speaker warned Sunday that Israel, the US military, and shipping centers would be considered “legitimate targets” if Washington launches a military attack on Tehran.

The protests began on Dec. 28, sparked by economic grievances linked to inflation and currency collapse, and have since grown into broader anti-government expressions of discontent.