Iran's Nationwide Protests, Riots Escalate with 65 Confirmed Deaths Amid Internet Blackout and US Intervention Warnings

MIDDLE EAST - Nationwide protests, escalating to riots in Iran sparked by economic collapse including currency devaluation and inflation exceeding 40 percent have resulted in 65 confirmed deaths and hundreds of injuries since December 28, as Iran’s security forces deployed lethal measures across more than 180 cities.

The government imposed a total internet blackout on January 8, reducing connectivity to under 3 percent to disrupt coordination and conceal the crackdown’s scale.

Demonstrations persist with chants against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and calls for monarchy restoration under Reza Pahlavi.

Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump has issued warnings of potential intervention if violence continues, drawing parallels to recent actions in Venezuela.

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Trump also said that it looks like the Iranian leadership is “in big trouble”, adding “It looks to me that the people are taking over certain cities that nobody thought were really possible just a few weeks ago.”

During a visit to Lebanon, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the United States and Israel of fueling the protests and riots, to which the State Department said, “This statement reflects a delusional attempt to deflect from the massive challenges the Iranian regime faces at home.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that “The United States supports the brave people of Iran.”​

Communications Shutdown

Authorities initiated blackout January 8, layering restrictions to isolate participants. Metrics show drops to 1 percent. The measure obscures violations and prevents organized gatherings of people, with satellite calls facing jamming.