After a period of internet blackout in Iran, accurate reporting on the ongoing protests from overseas has faced challenges. However, with some communication channels restored on Tuesday, The Associated Press managed to establish contact with individuals within Iran who were both witnessing and participating in the demonstrations.
Commencing slightly over two weeks ago, the protests initially erupted due to frustrations over Iran’s struggling economy and subsequently shifted focus towards the theocratic regime, particularly targeting the 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Images received by The Associated Press on Tuesday from protests in Tehran displayed graffiti and chants advocating for Khamenei’s demise, an act punishable by death. Skylar Thompson from the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) expressed shock at the newly reported death toll surpassing 2,000, noting it had quadrupled in just two weeks compared to the prolonged Mahsa Amini protests in 2022.
Thompson cautioned that the death toll was expected to rise further, emphasizing that the current count was likely an underestimate. Subsequently, HRANA updated the death toll to at least 2,571 individuals.
During phone conversations following the restoration of limited communication, Iranian witnesses described a heavy security presence in central Tehran, with accounts of government buildings set ablaze and vandalized bank facilities. Reza, a taxi driver, revealed that despite a sense of hopelessness among many, discussions about continuing the protests persisted, particularly among the youth.
Although several individuals in Tehran managed to contact the AP on Tuesday, attempts by the AP bureau in Dubai to return calls were unsuccessful. Witnesses reported that text messaging services remained disrupted, limiting internet access to government-approved local sites only, barring external connectivity.
Witnesses depicted a heavily militarized environment, with anti-riot police equipped with protective gear and weapons stationed at key points. Additionally, members of the Revolutionary Guard’s Basij force, armed with firearms and batons, were observed alongside plainclothes security personnel patrolling public areas.
Amid the unrest, witnesses disclosed that multiple banks and government premises had been targeted, hindering financial transactions without internet connectivity. Despite this, shops in Tehran operated with minimal foot traffic, including the reopening of the Grand Bazaar where protests initially erupted over currency devaluation.
Anonymously speaking out of fear of repercussions, witnesses shared accounts of citizens confronting plainclothes security officials who conducted random stop-and-search operations on the streets. Concerns loomed over potential future developments, including speculations about a U.S. intervention following President Donald Trump’s remarks on Iran’s handling of the protests.
Reports surfaced of security forces searching for Starlink terminals in northern Tehran, with authorities raiding buildings housing satellite dishes. Notably, a Los Angeles-based activist mentioned the provision of free Starlink services in Iran starting Wednesday, corroborated by other activists online.
State TV coverage highlighted pro-government rallies nationwide, with Supreme Leader Khamenei commending participants and cautioning against perceived foreign interference. Chants of “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!” echoed through the crowds, signaling a show of solidarity with the regime.
Overall, the situation in Iran remains tense, with ongoing protests, a heavy security presence, and a populace wary of potential external involvement, as the nation grapples with internal turmoil and external pressures.
