Widespread protests have swept across Iran, evolving from initial anger over the country's ailing economy into a significant challenge to the ruling regime, mirroring international solidarity demonstrations. These protests, which began on December 28, have been met with an escalating crackdown by authorities, including a comprehensive internet and international telephone call blackout designed to stifle communication and suppress dissent.

Internationally, demonstrations have taken place outside Iranian embassies across the world. In central London, a protester dramatically climbed onto the balcony of the Iranian embassy, pulling down the country’s flag and replacing it with the pre-Islamic revolution lion and sun flag, a symbol often utilized by opposition groups. The Metropolitan police reported that between 500 to 1,000 people attended the protest at its peak. Two arrests were made for aggravated trespass, one of which also included assault on an emergency worker, with officers seeking a third individual for trespass. Despite these incidents, the Met police stated they observed no serious disorder and maintained a presence to ensure embassy security. Similar scenes unfolded in Berlin, where hundreds marched, waving Iran’s former imperial flag and carrying pictures of exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi.

Within Iran, demonstrators have continued to defy authorities despite the severe communications blackout. Videos that managed to trickle out showed thousands protesting in cities like Tehran and Mashhad, with chants such as “Death to Khamenei,” in reference to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and “Long live the shah.” Fires were seen burning during protests in Mashhad, Khamenei's hometown, a clear show of defiance. Khamenei has condemned the protesters as “vandals” and publicly blamed the United States for instigating the dissent. The country’s attorney general, Mohammad Mahvadi Azad, issued a stark warning that anyone participating in the protests would be considered an “enemy of god,” a charge that carries the death penalty, with state television later clarifying that even assisting protesters could lead to such a charge.

Reports from activists, some managing to communicate via the Starlink satellite system, painted a grim picture of the authorities' heavy-handed response. Eyewitness accounts reported security forces firing live ammunition at protesters, with one protester claiming snipers were stationed in areas like Tehran's Tajrish Arg and witnessing