Huge anti-government protests sweep Tehran and other Iranian cities

Large crowds marched through Tehran, Mashhad and other cities in what observers described as the biggest anti-government protests in years.

Verified videos showed peaceful demonstrations continuing without immediate dispersal by security forces.

Protesters were heard calling for the overthrow of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the return of exiled royal Reza Pahlavi.

Human rights groups said the unrest has spread to more than 100 cities across all 31 provinces and entered its 12th consecutive day.

The Human Rights Activist News Agency reported at least 34 protesters and eight security personnel killed, with more than 2,200 arrests.

Iran Human Rights said at least 45 protesters, including children, were killed, while BBC Persian confirmed 22 deaths.

Footage showed crowds chanting “Long live the shah” and dismantling surveillance equipment in parts of Mashhad and Tehran.

Iranian state media downplayed the scale of the protests, with some outlets denying demonstrations took place.

US President Donald Trump warned Iran against killing protesters, saying the US would respond “very hard” if violence escalated.

The protests were sparked by the collapse of the Iranian rial and rising inflation amid sanctions and economic mismanagement.