Iranians in Tehran and other cities once again staged fierce demonstrations against the regime on Saturday night, despite growing fears of even tougher repression. Demonstrators chanted anti-government slogans, reports AFP news agency.
According to a verified video, a demonstration began late Saturday evening in a neighborhood in northern Tehran. Fireworks were set off over Punak Square as demonstrators banged pots and pans and chanted slogans in support of the Pahlavi dynasty, which was ousted by the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
Other images on social media showed demonstrators in Tehran and Mashhad, Iran’s second largest city, clashing with security forces well into the night. The images show and hear security forces shooting at demonstrators.
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Videos shared on social media, which could not immediately be verified, showed demonstrations in other parts of the capital. The country is cut off from the outside world by an internet blockade.
The Islamic Republic is facing one of its greatest challenges since its founding in 1979. The demonstrations began in protest against the high cost of living but have grown into an anti-regime movement. Human rights groups have reported dozens of deaths since the protests began two weeks ago.
US President Donald Trump stated on his Truth Social platform on Saturday that Iran “yearns for freedom” and that the United States “stands ready to help.” He had previously threatened to “crack down on the country” in the event of a deadly crackdown.
Possible attacks
According to The New York Times has been Trump in recent days informed about the options available to him regarding possible attacks, including bombings. The newspaper, citing anonymous sources, emphasizes that no final decision has yet been made, but that a new intervention is “being seriously considered” after the bombings of three key Iranian nuclear facilities in June.
Little information is coming out about the situation in Iran, as Iranians have been without internet access since Thursday following a decision by authorities, according to cybersecurity NGO Netblocks.
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