After Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi called for large-scale demonstrations abroad, new protests erupted in the capital Tehran late on Thursday night, with people shouting slogans from their homes and taking to the streets. Soon after the protests began, internet and telephone communications across Iran were cut off. Observers said this marked another escalation since the nationwide protests triggered by the economic crisis. The demonstrations have spread from cities to towns, with many marketplaces and bazaars closing down to show solidarity. So far, violent incidents related to the protests have resulted in at least 41 deaths and more than 2,270 arrests. This protest is seen as the first test of the Pahlavi's influence. Slogans supporting the former king appeared during the protests, which could have previously led to the death penalty in Iran, but now highlight the public's level of anger. The wave of protests has increased pressure on Iran's civilian government and Supreme Leader Khamenei. However, analysts point out that the overall protests remain "decentralized," lacking a clear leader, which in part limits its political transformation prospects.
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Original: toutiao.com/article/1853812367170571/
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