Iran was shaken overnight by nationwide protests denouncing the Islamic Republic, as exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi called on demonstrators to prepare for a decisive escalation. Speaking from the United States, the son of Iran’s last shah urged protesters to move beyond street rallies and organise to seize and hold key city centres, signalling a bid to transform unrest into coordinated civil resistance.

Pahlavi hailed Friday’s turnout as “magnificent” and appealed for more focused demonstrations over the weekend, arguing that sustained pressure could fracture the ruling establishment. His remarks came as Iran’s military announced it would protect strategic infrastructure and public property, urging citizens to thwart what it described as “enemy plots” at a moment of heightened tension.

From Washington, President Donald Trump said his administration had issued a clear warning to Tehran against killing protesters, hinting at punitive action if violence intensified. While ruling out ground intervention, Trump said the United States could strike Iran “very, very hard where it hurts.” He also indicated he was not yet inclined to meet Pahlavi, suggesting the White House was watching how events unfold before openly backing an opposition leader.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei struck a defiant tone in a Friday address, condemning protesters as “vandals” and vowing the Islamic Republic would not retreat. He accused demonstrators of damaging their own cities to curry favour with the United States.

The protests, now in their second week, represent one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s theocratic system since the 1979 revolution. Sparked by economic hardship, they have broadened into a direct challenge to clerical rule. At least 62 people have been killed, according to reports.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi warned that security forces could be preparing a massacre under cover of a sweeping communications blackout. State media responded.

Iran was shaken overnight by nationwide protests denouncing the Islamic Republic, as exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi called on demonstrators to prepare for a decisive escalation. Speaking from the United States, the son of Iran’s last shah urged protesters to move beyond street rallies and organise to seize and hold key city centres, signalling a bid to transform unrest into coordinated civil resistance.

Pahlavi hailed Friday’s turnout as “magnificent” and appealed for more focused demonstrations over the weekend, arguing that sustained pressure could fracture the ruling establishment. His remarks came as Iran’s military announced it would protect strategic infrastructure and public property, urging citizens to thwart what it described as “enemy plots” at a moment of heightened tension.

From Washington, President Donald Trump said his administration had issued a clear warning to Tehran against killing protesters, hinting at punitive action if violence intensified. While ruling out ground intervention, Trump said the United States could strike Iran “very, very hard where it hurts.” He also indicated he was not yet inclined to meet Pahlavi, suggesting the White House was watching how events unfold before openly backing an opposition leader.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei struck a defiant tone in a Friday address, condemning protesters as “vandals” and vowing the Islamic Republic would not retreat. He accused demonstrators of damaging their own cities to curry favour with the United States.

The protests, now in their second week, represent one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s theocratic system since the 1979 revolution. Sparked by economic hardship, they have broadened into a direct challenge to clerical rule. At least 62 people have been killed, according to reports.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi warned that security forces could be preparing a massacre under cover of a sweeping communications blackout. State media responded.