Protests have erupted worldwide following reports of more than 3,000 protesters allegedly killed during Iran’s forceful crackdown on demonstrations.
Iran’s 90 million citizens woke up to find internet access blocked and phone communication severed after days of protests triggered a harsh response from authorities.
Witnesses reported overwhelmed hospitals with bodies piling up as protesters swarmed the streets of Tehran and Mashhad. Videos surfaced showing ongoing demonstrations on Monday.
The main opposition MEK in Iran claimed that over 3,000 people have been killed in the 16-day protests, denouncing the government’s actions as a “major crime against humanity.”
Meanwhile, Downing Street downplayed the possibility of labeling Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group, citing concerns about the practical impact of such a move.
In Iran, government-backed rallies featured images of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with supporters chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans. In contrast, anti-regime protesters displayed placards calling for regime change and honoring past leaders.
While official estimates put the protester death toll at around 600, opposition groups within Iran allege the number to be as high as 3,000 casualties.
As Iranian authorities attempted to restore order through nationwide rallies, scenes of unrest and defiance continued in various cities worldwide, including London, Berlin, Los Angeles, and Tehran.