Iran's streets erupted into chaos Thursday as massive protests swept major cities, prompting authorities to impose a near-total internet and phone shutdown in a bid to silence dissent. Sparked by exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi's impassioned call for a "national uprising," demonstrators clashed with security forces, marking one of the boldest challenges to the regime in years.

The unrest traces back to late December 2025, when frustration over hyperinflation and a collapsing rial boiled over in Tehran. Shoppers faced empty shelves and skyrocketing prices for basics like bread and fuel, fueling chants that quickly turned political—from "We can't afford to live" to "Death to Khamenei." By Thursday, protests had spread to Abadan, Karaj, and Isfahan, with crowds blocking highways and torching symbols of government control.

From exile, Reza Pahlavi—son of the ousted Shah—urged citizens to take to the streets at 8 p.m. sharp, declaring it time to end "45 years of tyranny." Viral videos captured thousands responding: families banging pots from balconies, youth spray-painting anti-regime slogans, and mobs overwhelming police lines in Tehran's Kaj Square. This surge tests Pahlavi's pull on a disillusioned youth, evoking memories of pre-1979 prosperity amid today's isolation.

Authorities activated a nationwide blackout by evening, as tracked by NetBlocks, severing web access to thwart coordination—echoing tactics from the 2019 fuel riots and 2022 women's protests. Reports detail at least 42 deaths, thousands arrested, and live gunfire dispersing crowds. Officials blame "foreign agents," with the judiciary promising harsh reprisals via drones and surveillance.

President Donald Trump condemned the violence, hinting at U.S. action if bloodshed escalates, while EU leaders urged restraint and highlighted protester videos smuggled via VPNs. As blackouts persist, whispers of underground resistance grow—could military defections tip the scales? The world waits.