Mosque Set Ablaze, Protesters Raise Royal Flag

Tehran and multiple cities across Iran have been engulfed in widespread anti-government protests and violence for two consecutive nights. Protesters reportedly set fire to a mosque in the Sada’at Abad district of Tehran while also waving the pre-1979 revolutionary royal flag, signalling deep discontent with the current regime.

A 60-year-old local resident told that she joined the demonstrations for the second night running and witnessed the arson at close quarters. Following Thursday’s unrest, Friday night saw the disturbances spread to major cities including Mashhad, Tabriz, Urmia, Isfahan, Karaj, and Yazd.

Videos circulating on social media platforms and on BBC Persian show protesters chanting for the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while simultaneously celebrating the monarchy of the Shah era. Recognising the severity of the situation, state television issued urgent appeals urging citizens to refrain from participating in protests, specifically warning parents against allowing their children to take to the streets. The government further cautioned that any casualties arising from clashes with security forces should not be blamed on the authorities.

Despite these warnings and nationwide internet blackouts, thousands of Iranians continued to occupy public spaces. According to Amir Reza, an engineer in Tehran, security forces have employed live ammunition and sound grenades to disperse crowds. He added that, at one point, plainclothes militia and police personnel opened fire directly, causing widespread panic.

The unrest initially began on 28 December with a peaceful demonstration by merchants in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, but quickly escalated into violent confrontations. Reports that over 200 protesters were shot dead in Tehran alone on Thursday. After thirteen days, the death toll continues to rise, highlighting the intensity and persistence of the movement.

The Iranian government has formally accused the United States of instigating the violence in a complaint to the United Nations Security Council, asserting that Washington’s interference turned a peaceful protest into a bloodbath. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that if the Iranian authorities do not halt the killings of civilians, the United States may undertake a major military intervention in the country.

Trump further asserted that Iran is facing an unprecedented crisis, caught between internal rebellion and international pressure. The nation’s political future now appears increasingly uncertain, as domestic upheaval intensifies amid mounting global scrutiny.

Summary of Recent Protests and Violence