Iran Protests Escalate: Exiled Crown Prince Calls for US Intervention as Tehran Implements Internet Blackout
As Iran faces one of the most widespread anti-government movements in decades, exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has called on US President Donald Trump to intervene amidst a nationwide internet blackout implemented by the Islamic regime.
Background and Context
The unrest in Iran, which began as a response to a currency crisis in late December, has escalated into fiery nationwide demonstrations, with protesters urging regime change. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, the death toll linked to the recent unrest has reached 116, with most killed by live ammunition or pellet gunfire.
Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran's last shah, has emerged as a significant figure in the protests, calling on Iranians to 'seize city centres' and encouraging international intervention. He has appealed to Trump directly, describing the President as a man of peace and a man of your word
and the current unrest as a historic opportunity to end Iran’s Islamic Republic.
Key Developments
Despite Pahlavi's appeals, Trump has refused a meeting with him, sparking speculation that the US leader could be looking to negotiate directly with the Islamic Republic's elite. This speculation has been further fueled by Trump's remarks suggesting that the US would respond forcefully if the Iranian regime resorted to mass violence.
Protesters have also been appealing directly to Trump, with footage showing a protester in Tehran renaming a street after the President and handwritten appeals reading, Don’t let them kill us.
In an unprecedented move, an anti-regime protester in London scaled the balcony of Iran’s Embassy, tore down the Islamic Republic’s flag, replacing it with Iran’s pre-1979 Lion and Sun
emblem, a symbol associated with Iran’s monarchy prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
International Reactions
Internationally, the UK has expressed hopes for a “peaceful transition” of power in Iran, and mass gatherings in London, Paris, and Istanbul have shown support for Iran's anti-regime protests. However, the UK has refrained from commenting on America’s foreign policy towards Iran.
Israeli social media has erupted with calls for the overthrow of the Iranian government, with some advocating for military intervention in order to access the Islamic Republic's natural resources. However, Israel's political leadership has largely remained silent.
Iran has issued warnings against US and Israel against any intervention, declaring that they would be targets if Trump strikes over protests.
Conclusion
As the protests and the ensuing crackdown intensify, the situation remains volatile. The Iranian government's implementation of a near-total internet blackout is seen as a measure to curb the protests and control the narrative. The refusal of Trump to meet with exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has led to speculation of a potential direct deal with the Islamic Republic's elite. The international community watches on as the situation unfolds, signalling various degrees of support for the protesters and the call for regime change.