Mass anti-government protests have erupted across Iran, sparked initially by grievances over skyrocketing prices and the collapse of the Iranian rial, quickly escalating into a significant challenge against the 46-year-old authoritarian regime of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. These demonstrations have been met with a bloody crackdown by Iranian security forces, leading to reports of at least 538 to 544 fatalities and over 10,600 detentions, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).

Amidst a complete internet and communications blackout imposed by Iranian authorities, international solidarity protests have spread globally, with thousands taking to the streets in London, Paris, and Istanbul. Demonstrators in London, for instance, rallied outside the Iranian embassy and Downing Street, burning images of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and waving the country's pre-Islamic flag, demanding the proscription of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization and the closure of Iranian embassies, which they branded 'terrorist factories'. Many also carried placards of exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi, suggesting a desire for a leadership transition.

The international community's response has been varied and debated. Donald Trump's State Department strongly urged the UK and other partners to designate Iran's paramilitary wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as a 'terrorist organization,' stating it was 'merely stating the obvious' given Tehran's status as the 'world's leading state sponsor of terror.' The US administration indicated it was considering 'very strong options,' including potential military strikes, in response to the crackdown, with reports suggesting discussions about sending Elon Musk-owned Starlink terminals to restore internet connectivity in Iran. Tehran, however, warned that US military bases and Israel would become 'legitimate targets' if the US were to initiate strikes.

In the UK, there has been resistance to the US demand for an IRGC terrorist designation. Cabinet Minister Peter Kyle stated that the UK 'already used the sanctions against Iran to the full extent we can' and suggested that designating the IRGC was not 'appropriate.' Former MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore cautioned that UK terror law was not designed for state-affiliated groups, implying such a designation would have symbolic impact but little practical effect on the IRGC. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed the UK's desire for a 'peaceful transition' and a priority to 'stem the violence' in Iran, advocating for a broad coalition approach for any intervention. In contrast, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch supported military intervention, indicating she would back RAF involvement as part of a US-led 'broad coalition' to 'oust the Islamic Republic's leadership,' stating Iran would 'very happily wipe out the UK if it felt it could get away with it.'

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, signaled the bloc's readiness to propose fresh sanctions on Iran, adding to existing wide-ranging measures against human rights violations, nuclear proliferation, and military support for Russia. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the 'violent repression' of 'legitimate demonstrators,' and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola explicitly urged the EU to designate the IRGC and extend sanctions on individuals supporting the regime. However, the EU has previously resisted blacklisting the IRGC, citing a requirement for a court ruling in one of its member states.

Former French Prime Minister Dominique De Villepin strongly advised against foreign intervention, arguing that the unrest is an internal 'movement of the Iranian population against the mullahs’ regime.' Speaking on Euronews, De Villepin warned that intervention could 'create a situation of chaos worse than the situation today' and might 'give the regime the opportunity to further increase repression.' He advocated for dialogue, strong pressure through 'unofficial ways,' and raising awareness to prompt the Iranian leadership to 'measure the consequences of their acts.' The coming hours are considered critical in determining whether the protests continue to spread despite the crackdown or are violently suppressed.