Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the late Shah of Iran, is calling for sustained mass demonstrations after thousands of Iranians marched through the streets Thursday in Tehran and other cities.
Mr. Pahlavi said Friday that he was proud of everyone who took to the streets.
“You saw how a massive crowd forces the repressive forces to retreat. Those of you who were hesitant, join your fellow compatriots on Friday night and make the crowd even larger so that the regime’s repressive power becomes ever weaker,” he said on social media. “I know that despite the internet and communication cuts, you will not abandon the streets.”
Despite the Islamic Republic’s nationwide internet shutdown and a brutal government response that has resulted in the death of dozens of people, the protests show no sign of abating.
The teeming crowds called for the overthrow of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the return of Mr. Pahlavi.
Thursday night’s demonstrations and protests took place in at least 46 cities across 21 provinces in Iran. Strikes and market closures were reported in Iran’s Kurdish regions as crowds in dozens of cities joined the protests, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency.
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The news agency said at least 42 people have been killed in response to the demonstrations throughout Iran over the past 12 days, including five under the age of 18. State media have repeatedly referred to the protesters as “terrorists” working on behalf of the U.S. and Israel.
NetBlocks, a global internet monitoring watchdog group, said late Thursday that Iran had been offline for more than 12 hours, with national connectivity flatlining at less than 1% of normal levels. It is part of a nationwide internet blackout to both suppress sweeping protests and cover up reports of regime brutality, NetBlocks said.
“I urge all world leaders to utilize all available technical, financial, and diplomatic capacities to restore communications to the people of Iran so that their voices can be heard and their will can be seen,” Mr. Pahlavi said. “Do not let the voices of my brave compatriots be silenced.”
