Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard moved Saturday to signal that security will be treated as a “red line” as protests and demonstrations continue to spread across Tehran and other cities, underscoring the regime’s growing alarm as public anger spills into the streets.
The unrest has been fueled by soaring inflation that has hammered ordinary Iranians and quickly turned political, with demonstrators openly calling for the toppling of the Islamic Republic. In some cases, protests have turned destructive. State television reported that a municipal building in the city of Karaj was set on fire, highlighting how economic frustration has escalated into open confrontation with the government.
As demonstrations intensified, Iranian authorities responded by cutting off internet access and phone lines nationwide, a familiar tactic aimed at preventing protesters from organizing and stopping images and messages from spreading beyond Iran’s borders. The communications blackout has only heightened concerns that the regime is preparing for a broader crackdown while attempting to shield its actions from international scrutiny.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has sought to blame the unrest on outside forces, accusing protesters of acting to gain the approval of President Donald Trump as the United States increases its global posture following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
In a series of posts on X, Khamenei claimed that demonstrators were destroying property in their own country to please the U.S. president. He suggested that protesters believe Trump will side with them and dismissed the idea by telling Trump to focus on managing America instead.
Despite the regime’s accusations, some demonstrators have openly expressed hope that Trump’s statements will deter Iranian authorities from using deadly force. Last week, Trump issued a blunt warning, saying that if Iran “kills peaceful protesters,” the United States would come to their rescue, adding that America was “locked and loaded and ready to go.”
That warning has resonated beyond Iran’s borders. Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah who was overthrown by the current regime, publicly appealed to Trump as the blackout took effect. Pahlavi said Khamenei fears the collapse of his “criminal regime” at the hands of the people and warned that the internet shutdown could be used to hide a brutal crackdown on young protesters.
Pahlavi credited Trump’s threat with keeping regime forces in check so far but said time was running out. He urged the president to be prepared to intervene, saying Iranians would soon be back on the streets and needed international support.
In a further appeal, Pahlavi praised Trump as a man of peace who keeps his word and asked him to stand ready to help the Iranian people if the situation deteriorates further.
Trump, however, has signaled limits to direct engagement. When asked earlier this week by radio host Hugh Hewitt whether he would meet with Pahlavi, the president said such a meeting would not be appropriate at this time.
The standoff highlights the growing pressure facing Iran’s leadership as economic misery and political frustration converge. With the Revolutionary Guard drawing hard lines, communications cut, and protesters undeterred, the situation remains volatile. Trump’s public warnings have added a new dimension to the crisis, raising the stakes for a regime already struggling to contain anger at home while facing scrutiny from abroad.
