Iranian protesters defy regime as internet cut and exiled crown prince speaks out

"The full scope of the demonstrations could not be immediately determined due to the communications blackout, though it represented yet another escalation in protests that began over Iran's ailing economy and that has morphed into the most significant challenge to the government in several years. The protests have intensified steadily since beginning on December 28. They also represented the first test of whether the Iranian public could be swayed by Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi,"

"Demonstrations have included cries in support of the shah, something that could bring a death sentence in the past but now underlines the anger fuelling the protests. So far, violence around the demonstrations has killed at least 42 people while more than 2,270 others have been detained, said the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Mr Pahlavi, who called for protests on Thursday night, similarly has called for demonstrations at 8pm on Friday."

Short online videos shared by activists purported to show protesters chanting against Iran's theocracy around bonfires as debris littered the streets in Tehran and other areas. Iranian state media accused "terrorist agents" of the US and Israel of setting fires and sparking violence and reported casualties. Communications were largely blacked out, obscuring the protests' full scope. The unrest began over Iran's ailing economy and has morphed into a significant challenge to the government, intensifying since December 28. Demonstrations included chants supporting the shah and calls organized by Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. Violence has killed at least 42 people and led to more than 2,270 detentions, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Pahlavi urged protests at 8pm on Thursday and Friday.

Read at Irish Independent