Iran protests spread to 222 locations as death toll hits 20 on eighth day

Despite intensified security measures, increased deployment of police and security forces, and continued confrontations in several areas, the geographic spread of protests has remained intact, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said.

Over the past eight days, at least 19 civilians and one member of security forces have been killed, based on the data verified by HRANA. At least 51 people were also injured, most caused by pellet and rubber bullets.

Protests initially began with labor strikes and professional gatherings and have continued with broader street demonstrations, limited trade stoppages, and student protests openly calling for regime change.

HRANA said 17 universities have seen student activism during the unrest.

In the past 24 hours alone, unrest was reported in more than 20 cities, including Tehran, Mashhad, Shiraz, Karaj, Qazvin, Yazd, Bandar Abbas, Tabriz, Kermanshah, Khorramabad, Shahrud, Dorud, Gachsaran, Yasuj, Bushehr, Lahijan, Nishapur, Mahallat, Rudbar, Borujerd, and Marvdasht, alongside heightened security deployments in several areas.

The protests have not been confined to major urban centers, with smaller cities and regional towns also affected—an indication of the horizontal spread of unrest across different social and geographic layers.

Reports and verified videos from multiple cities showed continued use of force by security services, including tear gas, live fire, pellet guns, and mass arrests.

The deadliest crackdown took place in the city of Malekshahi in Ilam province, western Iran, on Saturday where security forces opened fire on protesters, killing at least five and injuring 30 others, according to information obtained by Iran International.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has a back-up plan to flee Iran for Moscow with a close circle of up to 20 aides and family should unrest intensify and security forces desert or fail to suppress the protests, The Times reported on Sunday, citing an intelligence report shared with it.

“The ‘plan B’ is for Khamenei and his very close circle of associates and family, including his son and nominated heir apparent, Mojtaba,” The Times reported citing an intelligence source.

“They have plotted an exit route out of Tehran should they feel the need to escape,” which includes “gathering assets, properties abroad and cash to facilitate their safe passage," the source was quoted as saying.

Khamenei is now “weaker, both mentally and physically” since the 12-day war with Israel in June, The Times reported citing a psychological profile of Khamenei done by a Western intelligence agency.

The profile called Khamenei a “paranoid” leader, a trait that shaped his plan to leave Iran should the Islamic Republic's security forces desert him.

“On one hand, he is very ideologically motivated, but on the other he is pragmatic in what he sees: he sees tactical compromise for long-term greater cause. He is a long-term thinker,” read the assessment.

Komala Party Leader Abdullah Mohtadi on Sunday offered condolences to the families of slain protesters, and condemned what he described as a “major crime” by the Iran's Revolutionary Guards in Malekshahi, Ilam province.

"The great force of the popular movement will ultimately sweep away the apparatus of oppression and crime," he added in a post on X.

Many shops in the bazaar in Tehran remained closed, while plainclothes security agents were reported in nearby streets, according to videos and information received by Iran International.

Videos showed crowds chanting slogans at security forces as tear gas was fired and motorcycle-mounted units were deployed along Jomhouri Street in Tehran.

Overnight protests were reported in dozens of cities, with demonstrations continuing in Tehran neighborhoods including Narmak, Naziabad, and Hafez Street, as well as in provincial cities such as Sangsar in Semnan province, Nurabad-e Mamasani in Fars province, Sari in Mazandaran province, and Malekshahi in Ilam province.

Labor, retiree, civil, and teachers’ organizations inside Iran also issued statements backing the protests, citing inflation, unemployment, and economic pressure.

Internet disruptions across parts of Iran

Internet access was reduced or effectively cut off in several parts of the country on Sunday, particularly in areas where protests were more intense.

Residents in cities including Asadabad in western Iran, Kermanshah, Dezful, Malekshahi, Malard, Marvdasht, Kuhdasht, Borazjan, Mashhad, Shiraz, and parts of Tehran reported severe disruptions, with some saying it took hours to send a single text message.

Opposition figures pay tribute to slain protestors

Iran International has verified the identities 16 protestors who have been killed during the protests.

Some sources have reported a higher number of fatalities. US-based human rights group, Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), reported the deaths of at least 19 protestors on Sunday.

Iran International's investigations to verify reports regarding the identities and final number of those killed in cities including Azna, Marvdasht, Malekshahi, Hefshjan, and Farsan are still ongoing.

Iran’s exiled prince Reza Pahlavi paid tribute to the slain protesters, saying in a post on X that he honored their memory and vowed to hold those responsible to account.

“I honor and keep alive the memory and names of our compatriots who were killed in Iran’s national uprising,” Pahlavi said in a post on X.

Addressing the families of slain protestors, Pahlavi said: “On this irreversible path, I stand shoulder to shoulder with you.”

“I assure you that those who ordered and carried out these crimes will be identified and, without doubt, punished,” he added.

Addressing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, he said: “By spilling the blood of the purest children of this land, you and your network have brought your own downfall closer. We will not back down and will continue until the complete destruction of your anti-Iranian regime.”

Komala Party Leader Abdullah Mohtadi on Sunday offered condolences to the families of slain protesters, and condemned what he described as a “major crime” by the Iran's Revolutionary Guards in Malekshahi, Ilam province.

"The great force of the popular movement will ultimately sweep away the apparatus of oppression and crime," he added in a post on X.

Internet access has been reduced or effectively cut off in parts of Iran since Saturday night, particularly in areas where protests have been more intense, according to messages received by Iran International.

The number of messages sent from inside Iran declined noticeably from Sunday afternoon, suggesting broader disruptions.

Users who were able to communicate from areas under restrictions reported spending hours trying to send even a single text message.

A resident of the western Iranian city of Asadabad said internet access in the city, where protests have been strong, was effectively cut off, preventing video uploads and making text messaging difficult

Similar accounts were received from several other cities, including Kermanshah, Dezful, Malekshahi, Malard, Marvdasht, Kuhdasht, Borazjan, Mashhad, Shiraz, and parts of Tehran.

A key feature of the restrictions appears to be their regional application, with areas experiencing higher levels of protest activity facing tighter internet limitations, including in Tehran where districts with more protests have seen more severe disruptions.