His theocratic regime is sending warnings in all directions, and especially to those who have flooded Iranian cities, that it is preparing to carry out a brutal repression, while the successor of the Shah of Persia is asking the US president to be ready to take action in defense of the protesters.
More specifically, as reported by international media, while access to the internet and social media has been restricted for Iranians for over 24 hours, the Iranian leadership appears to have normal access and is making announcements and postings.
Escalation by Khamenei and Revolutionary Guards
It is indicated that the accounts maintained by the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on X have been on fire for the last three hours with continuous posts about revenge and punishment of the “enemies of the Islamic Republic”. As he typically states in one of them: “Let everyone know: The Islamic Republic came to power with the blood of several hundreds of thousands of honest people. In the face of those who promote destruction, the Islamic Republic will not bow down, will not tolerate servitude to foreigners.”
Everyone should know:
The Islamic Republic has come to power with the blood of several hundred thousand honorable people;
In front of those who are destructive, the Islamic Republic will not fail, it will not tolerate the mercenary of foreigners.— KHAMENEI.IR | Farsi (@Khamenei_fa)
For its part, the intelligence service of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an elite branch of the Iranian military that has in the past been used to quell mass protests, issued a statement warning of “retaliation,” according to the state-run Tasnim news agency.
According to the IRGC: “We warn that the continuation of this situation is unacceptable, and the blood of the victims of recent terrorist incidents is weighing on their planners. The people of Iran regard as legitimate the right to retaliate against the spread of insecurity.”
In the statement, the IRGC’s intelligence service says it “considers protecting the achievements” of the regime and “maintaining the security of society” as its “red lines”. “We will stand by the dear people of Iran until the enemy’s plan is completely defeated and the security of the citizens is established and ensured,” the relevant text concludes.
In addition, Iran’s National Security Council also issued a statement, according to which “armed saboteurs will be decisively dealt with”. As reported by Tansim on Telegram, the relevant announcement states that:
“To avoid harm to citizens, dear compatriots, especially families, are requested to maintain full vigilance and caution to prevent the abuse of teenagers and young people by hostile and malicious acts. In response to the demand of the entire society for the enforcement of order and security, armed saboteurs and those who disturb the peace and security of our fellow citizens, as well as any attacks on military, police or government centers, will be dealt with decisively and legally.”
Information about dozens of dead in the demonstrations
The Iranian government claims that “mercenaries” have killed members of the security forces in several attacks that have been described as “terrorist” as protests continue across the country. On the other hand, human rights monitoring organizations report that dozens of protesters have lost their lives in recent days, with some sources speaking of up to 50 dead.
Pahlavi calls on Trump to intervene
For his part, the Shah’s exiled heir, Reza Pahlavi, warned that the Iranian regime intends to use the country’s internet blockade to “murder” protesters and called on US President Donald Trump to be ready to intervene.
“Mr President, this is an urgent and immediate call for your attention, support and action,” Pahlavi wrote on Platform X. “Last night you saw the millions of courageous Iranians in the streets facing live bullets. Today, they face not only bullets but also a complete blockade of communications. No internet. No landlines.” According to Pahlavi, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei “fears the end of his criminal regime”.
Calling on Trump to take action, Pahlavi said Khamenei is “threatening the people in the streets with brutal repression. And he wants to use that blocking to assassinate these new heroes.”
“Time is of the essence. The people will be back on the streets in an hour. I am asking you to help,” he added. “You have proven, and I know you are a man of peace and a man of your word. Please get ready to step in to help the people of Iran.”
