> At a Glance
> – Protesters hit streets after Friday prayers despite threats of death-penalty charges
> – 51 killed across 11 provinces since demonstrations began
> – 100 arrested in Tehran province for “disrupting public order”
> – Why it matters: Iran faces its biggest internal challenge in 47 years
Iranians poured into streets late Friday after prosecutors warned protesters would be charged as “enemies of God”-a death-penalty offense-while security forces opened fire in multiple cities.
Violence Escalates
President Trump warned Tehran:
> “You better not start shooting because we’ll start shooting, too.”
Secretary Marco Rubio posted:
> “The United States supports the brave people of Iran.”
51 people have died since demonstrations erupted two weeks ago over currency collapse and inflation. 8 children are among the dead.
Crackdown Spreads
Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi Azad declared:
> Protesters will be considered “enemy of God”
Amnesty International reported:
> “Iranian authorities deliberately blocked internet access to hide crimes”
Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam of Iran Human Rights told NBC:
> “We are very concerned that after the internet shutdown the brutality will increase”
Reza Pahlavi called for:
- Nationwide strikes targeting oil, gas, energy
- Preparing to seize city centers
British PM Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged restraint.
Key Takeaways
- 100 arrested in Tehran province
- Internet blackout masks crackdown
- Satellite internet bypasses shutdown
- Protests now challenge 47-year Islamic Republic
Ali Vaez of International Crisis Group texted:
> “It can repress the discontent, but fails to address underlying grievances”
Caroline Kenny, Sarah Dean, Megan Shannon, Nollaig O’Connor contributed.
