Dubai

Protests across Iran continued into their second week on Saturday, even as authorities intensified security measures and acknowledged the persistence of demonstrations amid a near-total communications blackout.

With internet access largely suspended and international phone lines cut, assessing the scale of unrest from outside the country has become increasingly difficult. However, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that at least 65 people have been killed and more than 2,300 detained since the protests began.

Iranian state media has highlighted casualties among security forces while asserting that order is being restored. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has indicated a tougher response to the unrest, despite warnings from the United States against further escalation.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed support for protesters, stating on social media that Washington stands with the Iranian people. The US State Department also issued a sharp warning, underscoring that President Donald Trump’s statements should be taken seriously.

Saturday marks the beginning of the work week in Iran, though state television reported that many schools and universities switched to online classes. State TV aired repeated images of pro-government rallies, accompanied by patriotic music associated with Iran’s wartime history, while anchors claimed that calm prevailed in most cities overnight.

These claims were contradicted by verified videos showing large crowds gathering in parts of northern Tehran, where demonstrators were heard chanting slogans critical of the country’s leadership.

The semi-official Fars news agency released surveillance footage from Isfahan that it said showed protesters setting fires and attacking a government compound, including footage of one individual allegedly firing a weapon. State-linked media outlets also reported the deaths of several members of the Basij militia and security personnel in different provinces during clashes.

State television aired funeral footage from the city of Qom, attended by hundreds, in honour of those killed during the unrest.

The government shut down internet and international calls on Thursday, though select state and semi-official outlets continue to publish externally. Qatar-based Al Jazeera remains among the few foreign media outlets reporting from inside Iran.

Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has called for renewed demonstrations over the weekend, urging protesters to carry Iran’s pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun flag. While some demonstrators have voiced support for the former monarchy, it remains unclear whether this reflects backing for Pahlavi himself or broader discontent with the current system.

ALSO READ: Mahmud Akram: the boy who knows 400 languages

The protests erupted on December 28 following the sharp collapse of the Iranian rial, which has fallen to more than 1.4 million to the US dollar. Initially driven by economic grievances, the demonstrations have since evolved into open challenges to Iran’s ruling theocratic establishment.