Video: Massive anti-govt protests rock Tehran, Mashhad as Iran plunges into total internet blackout
The unrest has now entered its 12th consecutive day. Human rights groups say it was triggered by anger over the sharp collapse of Iran’s currency and has spread to more than 100 cities and towns across all 31 provinces.
Iranians protest a 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini's death after she was detained by the morality police, in Tehran. (Photo: AP)
Large crowds of anti-government protesters marched through Iran’s capital Tehran and several other cities on Thursday evening, according to videos verified by BBC Persian. The demonstrations are being described as the biggest show of strength by opponents of Iran’s clerical leadership in years.
Footage showed peaceful marches in Tehran and in Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city. The protests were not broken up by security forces at the time the videos were recorded. Later, a monitoring group reported a nationwide internet blackout.
What protesters were chanting
In the verified videos, protesters can be heard calling for the overthrow of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Some crowds also called for the return of Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah.
Chants included “Death to the dictator”, referring to Khamenei, and “Long live the shah”. Reza Pahlavi, who lives in the United States, had earlier urged Iranians to “take to the streets and, as a united front, shout your demands”.
Where protests were seen
BBC Persian verified videos showing a large crowd moving along a major road in Mashhad, in north-eastern Iran. In one clip, several men are seen climbing onto an overpass and removing what appeared to be surveillance cameras.
Other videos showed protesters walking along major roads in eastern Tehran. Smaller gatherings were also seen in northern parts of the capital and in the northern city of Babol, where similar chants were heard.
Why protests began
The unrest has now entered its 12th consecutive day. Human rights groups say it was triggered by anger over the sharp collapse of Iran’s currency and has spread to more than 100 cities and towns across all 31 provinces.
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In recent years, the rising cost of living crisis that has been exacerbated by crippling US sanctions and rising threats from Israel, the nearly five-decade-long rule of the Ayatollahs has come under threat.
Deaths and arrests
The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) said at least 34 protesters and eight members of the security forces have been killed so far, with 2,270 protesters arrested.
Norway-based group Iran Human Rights said at least 45 protesters, including eight children, were killed by security forces.
BBC Persian has confirmed the identities and deaths of 22 people. Iranian authorities have said six security personnel have been killed.
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Iranian state media played down the scale of Thursday’s protests. In some cases, they denied demonstrations had taken place, publishing videos of empty streets instead.
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Iranians protest a 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini's death after she was detained by the morality police, in Tehran. (Photo: AP) 
