36 killed in Iran’s fierce anti-Khamenei protests as exiled prince urges bold action

Iran is gripped by its most intense wave of anti-regime protests in years, with at least 36 demonstrators dead and over 1,000 arrested as security forces clamp down hard. Sparked by plunging living standards and the rial’s historic collapse against foreign currencies, unrest has erupted from Tehran to western provinces, revealing deep fractures in the Islamic Republic.

According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), 34 protesters and two security personnel have died in the first 10 days of turmoil. Massive crowds flooded the streets of Abdanan, chanting “Javid Shah” in a powerful nod to Iran’s ousted monarchy.

The movement, ignited by a bazaar shutdown in Tehran on December 28, has spread rapidly, especially among Kurdish and Lor minorities, marking the gravest public challenge since the 2022–23 Mahsa Amini protests.

In a significant development, exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last monarch, issued his first public call for action. Urging Iranians to unite in synchronized chants on January 8 and 9, Pahlavi’s message signals a coordinated resistance effort against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s regime.

Authorities responded with fierce repression. Iranian media reported sporadic protests swiftly dispersed by police using tear gas. Verified footage showed protesters defiantly shouting slogans like “Pahlavi will return” and “Seyyed Ali will be overthrown.” Reports reveal Iranian-backed Iraqi militias, including Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba, have been deployed to suppress dissent, disguised as pilgrimage groups.

Despite government promises of economic reforms—including subsidy adjustments and direct cash transfers to support purchasing power—public frustration remains palpable. The rial hit a record low of 1.47 million to the dollar on the black market, fueling the protests that initially erupted after the currency plunged to 1.43 million.

As protests continue into a tenth day, HRANA footage from Abdanan captures defiant slogans: “This is the last message, the entire regime is the target.” While still smaller than the mass rallies of recent years, these demonstrations present a stark challenge to Iran’s leadership amid economic collapse and regional conflict. The regime’s crackdown signals a battle for the country’s future hanging in a volatile balance.