At least 500 dead, more than 10,000 in custody
What you should know
Protests have erupted around the world in Iran over the government's crackdown on protesters. At least 538 people have been killed in the protests as of Sunday, according to the US-based Human Rights Watch News Agency (HRNA).
According to HRNA, at least 10,600 people are in police custody.
Protests have been held in various European cities including Paris, Berlin, The Hague, London and other cities against the crackdown. Large numbers of protesters have expressed solidarity with the movement in Auckland, New Zealand, Orlando, USA and Tokyo, Japan.
Protesters in Auckland tore down the flag of the Islamic Republic. They were carrying a flag with a lion and sun used during the monarchy (before 1979). In Tokyo, protesters also chanted slogans in support of former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.
On Saturday, a protester in London climbed onto the embassy fence and tore down the flag of the Islamic Republic. He hoisted the flag used during the monarchy.
The internet and telephone outages that have been ongoing since Thursday have made it difficult for international media and human rights groups to obtain detailed information about the human toll.
The internet monitoring group Netblocks said that Iran has been facing a nationwide internet outage for more than 84 hours. Netblock said protesters are using shortwave radios, telephone towers on the border and Starlink terminals as alternatives.
Human rights groups have accused the Iranian regime of blocking communications to cover up the massacre of protesters. Doctors working there say that Iranian hospitals are overflowing with patients.
Photos and videos circulating on social media show the protests turning violent. Angry protesters have vandalized and set fires in various cities.
On December 28, traders in Iran started a protest against price hikes. As the prices of daily necessities have skyrocketed and unemployment has increased, all sections of society are now participating in the protest.
The main issue in the protest, which started with the demand for economic reforms, is now a change of government. The protesters are demanding the repeal of various policies and regulations made by the religious authorities. The protesters are chanting slogans of 'freedom' and the end of dictatorship.
The protest has come under control: Aragchi
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has claimed that the protest has come under control. He claimed that the protests were initiated at the behest of the US and Israel. He said that the internet will be opened in the country soon.
He said that the government is coordinating with the security forces for this. He said that connectivity will also be opened in government agencies and embassies. Just a few days ago, he had said that Iran was ready for dialogue.
Iran is looking to negotiate: Trump
US President Donald Trump has said that the Iranian leadership wants to negotiate with the United States over the ongoing protests in the country. He said that the Iranian leadership is looking to negotiate after the United States warned of military intervention. Earlier, Trump had said that he supported the protesters.
He had also warned that the United States would send troops if the protests were further suppressed. 'They have said that they will negotiate. The negotiations are scheduled,' Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night, 'but we may have to take some action before the negotiations.'
He said that the United States is considering military intervention and possible options. Earlier, Iran had warned that it would retaliate if there was any intervention from the United States.
Who is Reza Pahlavi?
There are now slogans in Iran and the outside world in favor of the 65-year-old former crown prince Reza Pahlavi. Protesters are calling for him to take the lead. He is the eldest son of Iran's last Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
Public anger against Shah Mohammad grew after he suppressed a year and three months of protests in Iran in 1979. The monarchy ended on February 11, 1979, when the army refused to suppress the people who took to the streets. Since then, the royal family has fled to Egypt and then to the United States.
After the death of Shah Mohammad Reza, exiled officials proclaimed Reza Pahlavi king on October 31, 1980. Since then, Reza has been trying to overthrow the government in exile for the past 45 years.
In recent years, he has been saying that a constitutional monarchy can be restored in Iran. He has put forward the concept of an elected king rather than a hereditary one. He is also in controversy for siding with Israel.
He sided with Israel in the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June last year. He also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In return, Israel is now siding with him.
