Iran Protests: Khamenei Blames Trump Amid Nationwide Internet Blackout

Escalating Unrest in Iran

• 💡 Nationwide protests erupted across 31 provinces and at least 110 cities, initially sparked by shopkeepers' outcry over a collapsing economy.
• ⚠️ This represents the most serious internal challenge Iran has faced in years, with the state appearing to lose control.
• 📌 Authorities responded by implementing an internet blackout and cutting international telephone lines, attempting to isolate the country.

Khamenei's Accusations and Trump's Response

• 🗣️ After 13 days of continuous demonstrations, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, addressed the nation, directly attacking the United States.
• 🎯 Khamenei blamed US President Donald Trump for the unrest, accusing protesters of acting as foreign agents and destroying public property.
• 💬 Trump, in turn, claimed Khamenei was looking for a way out and threatened severe action if Iranian authorities began killing protesters.

Continued Resistance and Calls for Unity

• ✊ Despite the regime's internet blackout, unrelenting protests continued, with Iranians marching and chanting into the morning.
• 👑 The exiled crown prince called for further protests, urging field leaders to unite crowds for larger demonstrations.
• 📺 While state-owned media aired images of scorched buildings and debris, blaming "rioters," activists shared videos of anti-government chants.

Casualties and Public Sentiment

• 📊 According to human rights activists, at least 45 people have been killed and over 2,270 protesters detained.
• 📢 Protesters flooded major avenues in cities like Tehran, Tabriz, Mashhad, and Isfahan, with vehicles honking in support and crowds chanting "death to the dictator" and "death to Khamenei."
• 🔥 Some crowds also chanted in support of the Shah's son, reflecting the deep-seated anger against the current government.