Pahlavi’s Call to Action
Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last Shah and a prominent exiled opposition figure, has issued a direct call for escalated action against the Islamic Republic. In a social media statement on Saturday, January 10, he urged Iranians to move beyond demonstrations and prepare to “conquer and defend city centers.” He specifically called for a national strike by workers in key economic sectors—transport, oil, gas, and energy—and for mass public gatherings on January 10 and 11.
International Reactions and Regime Response
The call comes amid a severe nationwide internet blackout, monitored by cybersecurity group NetBlocks, which has severely limited information flow from inside the country. Internationally, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated American support for the “courageous Iranian people,” while EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the “violent repression.” Inside Iran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed not to retreat, labeling protesters “saboteurs,” and the military pledged to protect national interests from those “seeking to disrupt order.”
Human Toll and Artistic Dissent
The ongoing wave of protests, among the largest since the 2022 Mahsa Amini demonstrations, has turned deadly. The Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights reported at least 51 fatalities by Friday, including nine children. Internationally renowned Iranian filmmakers Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof broke through the communication blockade via Instagram, expressing “grave concern” over the “blatant repression” and calling for global monitoring.
Symbolic Acts and Historical Echoes
Symbolic gestures of defiance have emerged globally. In London, the Islamic Republic’s flag was briefly replaced with the pre-1979 monarchical flag atop the Iranian embassy during a solidarity rally. The protests, initially fueled by economic grievances in late December 2025, have evolved into a broader challenge to the regime’s authority, with the exiled prince’s video call on January 6 serving as a catalyst for the current mobilization.
