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Protests that erupted across Iran nearly two weeks ago over rising living costs have claimed at least 51 lives, including nine children, as authorities maintain a near-total internet shutdown that has now lasted a full day, according to rights monitors and internet freedom organizations.
Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based non-governmental organization, reported Friday that the death toll has climbed from 45 the previous day, with hundreds more injured in the first 13 days of nationwide demonstrations. The protests initially began as expressions of anger over economic hardship but have continued to spread despite the government's response.
The Iranian government has imposed a severe internet blackout that has left the country nearly completely offline for 24 hours, according to Netblocks, an internet freedom monitoring organization. The group reported Friday that connectivity has flatlined at just 1% of ordinary levels across the nation.
The digital shutdown has severely limited information flow from inside Iran, making it difficult to independently verify the scale of the protests and the government's response. Such internet blackouts have become a common tactic during periods of civil unrest in Iran, limiting protesters' ability to organize and communicate with the outside world.
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Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's late shah who lives in the Washington area, issued an urgent appeal Friday to US President Donald Trump, calling for immediate intervention as demonstrations continued.
"Mr. President, this is an urgent and immediate call for your attention, support and action," Pahlavi wrote on social media. "Please be prepared to intervene to help the people of Iran."
While Pahlavi did not specify what form of intervention he was seeking, he referenced both the internet blackout and the threat of force against demonstrators. He claimed to have called people into the streets to overwhelm security forces through sheer numbers, stating that protesters had done so the previous night.
Pahlavi also pointed to Trump's previous statements regarding the protests, writing: "Your threat to this criminal regime has also kept the regime's thugs at bay. But time is of the essence. The people will be on the streets again in an hour. I am asking you to help."
Trump ordered bombing last year of Iranian nuclear sites in coordination with Israel and has threatened military action if authorities kill protesters who have taken to the streets in the mass demonstrations. The protests began as expressions of concern over the cost of living but have evolved into broader challenges to the government.
The situation remains fluid as demonstrators face both government security forces and severely limited ability to communicate due to the internet shutdown.
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