• The Iranian protests have entered their second week, driven by economic frustration and calls for regime change.
• Supreme Leader Khamenei has labeled protesters as "vandals" and "troublemakers" while pledging the regime will "not back down."
• The unrest has resulted in at least 51 deaths and over 2,270 arrests amid a governmental internet blackout.
• Exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi has urged international support for the protesters.
• U.S. President Trump threatened severe repercussions if the regime responds violently to the protests.

Over the past fortnight, Iran has witnessed escalating protests prompted by dissatisfaction over the rising cost of living and economic instability. The demonstrations have surged into one of the most significant challenges to the Islamic Republic in recent history, with many people openly demanding an end to the theocratic regime, according to CBS News, Le Monde, and BBC.

In a defiant televised address on Friday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticized the demonstrators, labeling them as "vandals" and claiming they aimed to "please the U.S. president." He asserted that the regime would "not back down," bolstering his rhetoric with accusations directed at U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously supported the protests, according to CBS News and BBC.

The protests have seen a significant response from security forces, with reports of over 51 individuals killed and more than 2,277 arrested since the demonstrations began on December 28. Recent estimates indicate that the figure might be even higher, with rights groups warning about the potential for intensified violence as authorities imposed a near-total internet blackout to stifle communication and information dissemination, according to Le Monde and BBC.

As tensions escalate, exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi has appealed for international intervention to support the Iranian people's quest for freedom, taking to social media to rally support for the demonstrators. Pahlavi's calls were echoed amid claims of crowds chanting for the restoration of the monarchy during protests, signaling a shift in public sentiment, reported CBS News and Le Monde.

President Trump has also weighed in, threatening that if Iranian forces resorted to violence against protesters, the U.S. would respond "very hard." This statement follows a pattern of heightened tensions between the two nations as the protests continue to challenge the regime's authoritarian grip, as per reports from CBS News and BBC.

The ongoing unrest marks a critical juncture in Iran's history, with the regime facing an unprecedented wave of dissent fueled by economic grievances and calls for political change. As crowds gather across cities, their demands grow louder, bringing renewed urgency to the country's socio-political landscape, according to Le Monde, CBS News, and BBC.