Iran's Exiled Crown Prince Urges Protestors to 'Prepare to Seize' City Centres
Anti-government protests in Iran continue as authorities impose a nationwide internet blackout, deploy security forces and vow harsh punishment
Jan 10, 2026 - Widespread anti-government protests entered the 14th consecutive day in Iran as demonstrators continued to take to the streets of Tehran and more than 100 cities across all 31 provinces of the country. The unrest, initially sparked on December 28 by economic grievances, including rising inflation and the steep decline of the rial, has snowballed into calls for systemic political change and opposition to Iran’s clerical leadership.
The establishment has responded with a near-total nationwide internet and communications blackout which is in place for the last 36 hours. Even international calls appear blocked and local calls are out of service.
Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, son of ousted Iran Shah, urged protesters to “prepare to seize” city centres.
"Our goal is no longer just to take to the streets. The goal is to prepare to seize and hold city centres," Pahlavi said on social media, adding he was also "preparing to return to my homeland" on a day "very near".
Security forces, including the Revolutionary Guards, have been deployed widely. Rights groups and independent monitors report dozens of deaths and thousands of arrests, with violent clashes recorded in multiple provinces. At least 65 people are said to have been killed and more than 2,300 detained, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
The government is coming down hard on the protestors even as the country is facing its most serious wave of uprising. Iran’s judiciary chief has vowed “maximum” punishment for those involved and the Army has vowed to safeguard the country’s national interests and urged citizens to stay away from “the enemy’s plots.” Authorities have blamed “foreign enemies” for inciting unrest while pledging to protect public property and security.
US President Donald Trump’s warnings against violent suppression of civilians and expressions of support for peaceful demonstrators have met with anger from Iran with its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei telling Trump to “focus on his own country”.
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