Iran On The Brink: Deadly Protests, Internet Blackout, And A High-Stakes Khamenei–Trump Showdown

Iran is facing its most volatile internal crisis in years as nationwide protests over economic collapse morph into open calls for regime change, while a parallel war of words between Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and US President Donald Trump raises fears of international escalation.

Now in their second week, the protests have left at least 70 people dead and more than 2,300 arrested, according to human rights groups, triggering a near-total internet blackout, a sweeping security crackdown, and sharp warnings from Tehran that dissenters will be treated as enemies of the state.

Washington, meanwhile, has openly backed the protesters, with Trump warning Iran it is in “big trouble” and vowing to “hit them very hard” if killings continue.

What the Iranian protests are all about

The unrest began on December 28, 2025, as localised demonstrations by shopkeepers and traders angry over Iran’s collapsing currency and soaring prices. Within days, it spread to students, workers, and street protesters across dozens of cities, becoming the largest protests since the 2022 Mahsa Amini uprising.

What distinguishes the current wave is its political tone. Chants of “death to the dictator” targeting Khamenei, calls for the end of the Islamic Republic, and even demands for the restoration of the monarchy have been widely reported. International media platforms have authenticated protest footage from at least 67 locations, including Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, and Zahedan.

Security forces have responded with lethal force, according to rights groups. The Norway-based Iran Human Rights NGO says children are among the dead, while families of victims describe nighttime raids and mass arrests. Iranian state media, however, has focused on casualties among security personnel and insists order is being restored.

How the Iranian state struck back at the protesters

As protests intensified, authorities imposed a near-total internet shutdown, crippling communications, digital payments, ATMs, and access to information. Residents report supermarket runs, overturned cars, and arson in some areas, while human rights defenders warn the blackout could conceal a wider bloodshed.

Iran’s security establishment has hardened its rhetoric. The Supreme National Security Council and the IRGC’s intelligence arm have vowed “decisive action” against what they call “armed vandals” and “terrorist acts.”

Most ominously, Iran’s attorney general warned that protesters and even those who “helped rioters” could be charged as “enemies of God,” a crime punishable by death. Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi and other activists have warned of a potential massacre under the cover of the communications blackout.

How a geopolitical showdown between Khamenei and Trump broke out

Against this backdrop, the crisis has taken on a sharp international edge. In a televised address, Khamenei dismissed protesters as “troublemakers” acting to please the US president, insisting the Islamic Republic, born through “the blood of several hundred thousand,” would not back down.

Tehran has formally accused Washington of fomenting unrest, sending a letter to the UN Security Council alleging US “interference, incitement and deliberate encouragement of instability.”

Trump, however, has doubled down. Declaring that Iran is “looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before,” he said the US is “ready to help” protesters and warned that military options remain on the table, though he stressed any action would not involve “boots on the ground.” His remarks echo earlier threats made during and after Washington’s support for Israel’s recent conflict with Iran.

How the world reacted to Iranian protests and what comes next

European leaders, including France, Germany and the UK, have condemned the killing of protesters and urged Iran to respect freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The UN has said it is “deeply disturbed” by the loss of life.

Inside Iran, fear and uncertainty dominate. With phones cut, families abroad are unable to contact loved ones. As one Tehran resident put it: “This is the price to pay before the victory of the people.”

Whether the protests fade under repression, erupt into a broader revolt, or draw Iran into a deeper confrontation with the US remains unclear. What is certain is that Iran’s internal unrest and its external standoff with Washington are now dangerously intertwined, pushing the country, and the region, into uncharted territory.