From the bustling streets of Tehran to remote provinces, Iranians are rising against a government plagued by inflation and graft. Protests, now spanning more than 14 days, have turned deadly, with blacked-out internet exacerbating the crisis. Iran points fingers at the United States and Israel, but American leaders are openly championing the cause.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s social media declaration cuts through the noise: ‘The United States supports the brave people of Iran.’ Echoing President Trump’s cautions, it counters Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi’s Beirut claims of foreign meddling, which the US called a smokescreen for domestic woes.
Reza Pahlavi, son of the last Shah, commands attention from exile. His Farsi video appeals to state employees for strikes, celebrating the valor shown in recent nightly rallies. He implores continued disruption of regime responses, zeroing in on vital sectors like transport and power.
Pahlavi’s call to action specifies protests for Saturday night and Sunday evening at 6 PM, evolving tactics toward controlling strategic sites. ‘It’s time to seize city centers and hold them,’ he proclaimed, alluding to coup-like maneuvers and his personal preparations to reclaim Iran—a moment he deems imminent.
This convergence of voices signals potential tipping points. Protests rooted in daily hardships now threaten the Islamic Republic’s foundation. With US backing and Pahlavi’s leadership, the unrest could reshape Iran’s future, though the government’s resilience will be tested in the coming days.