Iran’s deadly crackdown on anti-government demonstrations appears to have largely quelled the unrest, according to residents and human rights groups, as communication restrictions began to ease and diplomatic pressure from the United States and its Gulf allies mounted.
The protests, which erupted on December 28 initially over economic hardship, quickly escalated into nationwide calls for the end of clerical rule, culminating in three days of violent confrontations with security forces late last week. Opposition groups say the unrest has resulted in more than 2,000 deaths, making it the most lethal domestic upheaval in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Official estimates on casualties remain undisclosed, and Tehran has characterized the detainees as “terrorists” or agitators, sharply downplaying the scale of arrests reported by independent monitors.
Residents of Tehran told the capital has been comparatively quiet for the past four days. Drone patrols continue over the city, but large-scale demonstrations have not reemerged. A resident of a northern city along the Caspian Sea described similarly calm streets, suggesting a temporary lull in the unrest nationwide. Many residents requested anonymity for safety reasons.
Despite the apparent reduction in public demonstrations, the environment remains tense. Iranian authorities confirmed that at least 3,000 people have been detained, describing them as “members of terrorist groups” or individuals involved in “recent disturbances.” However, rights organizations have provided far higher estimates: the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports more than 19,000 arrests, while Norway-based Iranian-Kurdish rights group Hengaw confirmed that no protests have occurred since Sunday but warned that “the security environment remains highly restrictive.”
Eyewitness accounts emerging as internet restrictions eased paint a stark picture of the crackdown’s human cost. One Tehran woman told her 15-year-old daughter was killed after joining a protest near their home. “She was not a terrorist, not a rioter. Basij forces followed her as she was trying to return home,” she said, referring to a paramilitary unit used extensively to suppress civil unrest.
Communication curbs remain in place, limiting independent reporting and outside contact. Iranians regained the ability to place international calls starting Tuesday, though incoming calls from abroad remain blocked and all communication is monitored. Access to the global internet continues to be restricted, forcing users to rely on domestic platforms, including the Iranian search engine Zarebin, which provides filtered results.
The United States has been closely monitoring the situation, repeatedly warning Iranian authorities that continued bloodshed could trigger “grave consequences.” President Donald Trump, speaking from the White House on Friday, said that Iran had canceled the execution of more than 800 people, a move he described as “highly respectable.” Trump added that he keeps “all options on the table” and emphasized that US military assets are continuing to arrive in the region, signaling that Washington remains prepared for further escalation.
The immediate prospect of a US strike appears to have diminished since Wednesday, when Trump indicated that reports of killings were easing. However, Gulf allies, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have conducted intensive diplomacy this week to prevent American military action, warning that a strike could trigger widespread regional instability with repercussions affecting the United States itself. A senior Gulf official told Reuters that their efforts were focused on persuading Washington that diplomacy and pressure would be more effective than military intervention in ending the unrest.
The demonstrations have left a trail of destruction, with official sources reporting vandalism of public institutions, the burning of 53 mosques, and attacks on banks during peak unrest last Thursday. While the streets have quieted, the heavy presence of security forces suggests that the government remains vigilant against renewed protests. Hengaw noted that military and security personnel continue to patrol cities and towns where protests previously occurred, as well as locations that had not seen major demonstrations.
As Iran struggles to manage domestic dissent under the watchful eyes of global powers, the situation remains fragile. Human rights groups warn that the lull in protests does not signify resolution but reflects the government’s ability to suppress dissent through force and surveillance. Many families, like the woman who lost her teenage daughter, continue to seek information and accountability in an environment where communication and reporting are tightly controlled.
The easing of some internet restrictions and international phone access may provide a window for families to reconnect and share information, but activists warn that the overall climate of fear and repression persists. Analysts say Iran’s leadership faces the dual challenge of quelling domestic unrest while managing rising international scrutiny, particularly from the United States, which remains ready to respond if further mass killings occur.
For now, Tehran and other cities remain tense and closely monitored, both by Iranian security forces and international observers. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the government can maintain control without further escalation and whether the protests, which began as a response to economic hardship, will ignite anew under continued social and political pressure.
