• Over 65 demonstrators reported dead amid ongoing protests in Iran.
• Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei blames U.S. President Trump for inciting unrest.
• The Iranian regime has vowed "decisive" punishments for protesters.
• Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi encourages demonstrators to seize cities.
• An internet blackout is severely limiting communication within Iran.

The Iranian government is facing the most significant unrest in years, as protests continue to rage throughout the country, resulting in over 65 reported deaths since the demonstrations began in late December. These protests, originally sparked by economic discontent, have evolved into broader anti-government sentiment, reflecting deep-seated frustration against the ruling regime's corruption and mismanagement. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), which tracks such issues, has reported that more than 2,300 people have been arrested amidst the chaos, according to CBS News and Los Angeles Times.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has addressed the protests with unyielding contempt, labeling those involved as "saboteurs" and accusing them of acting on behalf of U.S. President Trump, claiming they are "ruining their own streets ... in order to please the president of the United States." Khamenei insists that the Islamic Republic will not yield to such protests, warning that the government would respond with maximum and decisive punishment for those involved. His rhetoric indicates that state media has begun to categorize demonstrators as "terrorists," which could escalate into violent crackdowns, according to Channel News Asia and CBS News.

The internet blackout imposed by the Iranian government, which has lasted over 36 hours, has critically hindered communication within the country and isolated citizens from the outside world. This measure appears to be aimed at obstructing the flow of information regarding the protests and the government's response to them. Rights groups have reported that this blackout often precedes intensified crackdowns, facilitating more brutal actions against demonstrators without the risk of public scrutiny, as highlighted by reports from Los Angeles Times and CBS News.

Trump has repeatedly emphasized U.S. support for the protesters, renewing warnings to the Iranian leadership that violence against demonstrators will provoke a severe response from the United States. He has suggested that military action may not involve direct combat boots on the ground but rather targeted strikes, emphasizing the administration's commitment to back those opposing Iranian authorities. "If they do that, they’re going to have to pay hell," he stated in a recent interview, reiterating the commitment to support Iranians who are rising against their government, as per Los Angeles Times and CBS News.

Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, a controversial figure in Iranian politics, has been rallying support for the protests, calling for demonstrators to escalate their actions by seizing key urban centers. His call to action comes in the context of a significant mobilization across major cities, where protesters have taken to the streets chanting in support of a potential return to the monarchy. Pahlavi declared that the "goal is to prepare to seize and hold city centers," seeking to galvanize the momentum of these protests into a revolutionary effort against the current regime, according to Channel News Asia and CBS News.