The wave of anti-government protests in Iran appears to have diminished following a severe crackdown by authorities. According to reports from residents and rights groups, the unrest, which began on December 28, 2022, in response to economic difficulties, has largely subsided as communication restrictions have begun to ease. This follows a series of threats from the United States regarding potential military intervention should the violence continue.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump indicated that the situation might be stabilizing, citing information suggesting the number of killings had decreased. Despite this, he also noted that additional US military assets would be deployed to the region, reflecting ongoing tensions. US allies, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, engaged in diplomatic discussions aimed at preventing a US strike, warning of potential repercussions that could affect the broader region, including US interests.
The White House reiterated on Thursday that Trump had cautioned Iranian authorities of “grave consequences” for any further bloodshed. Trump remarked that Iran had “cancelled the hanging of over 800 people,” expressing his respect for the decision during a media briefing before departing for his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
The protests, which escalated into demands for the end of clerical rule, reached a peak last week, resulting in significant violence. Official sources indicated that demonstrations had spread across the country, leading to vandalism of public institutions, the destruction of banks, and the burning of 53 mosques. Opposition groups estimate that more than 2,000 people have died in the unrest, marking the most significant civil unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Residents in Tehran reported a noticeable decrease in activity over the past four days, with no major protests observed on Thursday or Friday. A resident from a northern city near the Caspian Sea confirmed that the streets appeared calm. Many residents, speaking to Reuters on the condition of anonymity for safety reasons, described an atmosphere of heightened security, with drones observed over the city.
As an internet blackout has begun to lift, accounts of the violence have started to emerge more freely. One woman in Tehran recounted the tragic death of her 15-year-old daughter during a demonstration, stating, “She was not a terrorist, not a rioter. Basij forces followed her as she was trying to return home.” The Basij forces, a paramilitary group used to suppress dissent, have been a focal point of public anger.
While international calls have resumed, incoming communications from abroad remain blocked, further isolating Iranians. The internet restrictions have limited access to global platforms, forcing many to rely on domestic services. One Iranian woman noted she was using the local search engine Zarebin, which provides filtered results.
Iranian authorities reported on Friday that at least 3,000 people have been detained during the protests, a figure that sharply contrasts with estimates from rights groups, which suggest that more than 19,000 individuals have been arrested. A security source claimed that the detainees were linked to “terrorist groups” involved in the disturbances, as reported by the Tasnim news agency, affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the security environment remains tense, with a significant military and security presence in cities previously affected by protests. The Iranian-Kurdish rights group Hengaw stated that while no protests have occurred since Sunday, the potential for unrest persists under the heavy surveillance of security forces.
As the situation evolves, the international community continues to monitor developments in Iran, balancing concerns over human rights violations with geopolitical interests in the region.
