Iran protests persist at lower intensity, remain manageable, analyst says

Protests and clashes between demonstrators and security forces continued across several Iranian cities overnight, though at a lower intensity than the previous night, Iran specialist Vardan Voskanyan said on Saturday.

“Compared with the previous night, the unrest was less intense, but it nonetheless continued,” he wrote on Telegram, adding said firearms were used by both sides, resulting in deaths and injuries, and that arson attacks were also reported.

According to Voskanyan, confirmed reports of unrest came from Tehran, Mashhad, Karaj and Zahedan.

He also noted growing international pressure on Tehran, pointing to repeated warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump. “President Trump has already, for the fourth time, said that he would deliver a heavy blow to Iran in the event of killings,” Voskanyan said.

European leaders are also seeking to play a role in developments surrounding Iran, she added. The office of French President Emmanuel Macron issued a joint statement with the leaders of Britain and Germany condemning Iran’s authorities. “This indicates that European countries do not want to remain on the sidelines of developments around Iran,” Voskanyan said.

He further cited a video address by the son of Iran’s deposed shah, who called on protesters to take to the streets and remain there around the clock, promising to return to Iran and stand with them. Voskanyan said the move appeared aimed at positioning himself as the main leader of the protests and securing support from Washington, a stance that has caused dissatisfaction among other opposition groups within the Iranian diaspora.

Internet access remains shut down across Iran, Voskanyan said, although domestic media are periodically granted limited access to disseminate information.

“Overall, the situation remains risky but manageable for the Iranian authorities,” the expert added.