In the latest development, Iran’s government has tightened its response to nearly two weeks of nationwide protests driven in part by worsening economic conditions and a sharply weakened currency. Authorities imposed a nationwide internet blackout and signaled harsher penalties for demonstrators, including threats of the death penalty, as more unrest was expected. President Trump warned Iran he could hit the country “very hard,” while Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused the U.S. of fueling the unrest and portrayed protesters as acting on Trump’s behalf. For businesses, the combination of political risk, disrupted communications, and elevated U.S.-Iran tensions adds uncertainty for regional trade and energy markets.

Highlights:

• Street-level spread: Reports described crowds gathering in Tehran and demonstrations in cities including Shiraz, Mashhad, and Zahedan, where Sunni Baluch worshippers marched after Friday prayers.
• Information choke: Internet monitoring groups reported a near-total national shutdown, a tactic analysts say aims to cut protesters’ communications and limit outside visibility of events.
• Death toll: As the crackdown looms, reporting cited a death toll that had climbed to at least 50, alongside state media labeling some demonstrators “terrorists”.
• Judiciary posture: Iran’s judiciary chief vowed “decisive” punishment for those involved, reinforcing official warnings about severe consequences for participation.
• Political rhetoric: Khamenei accused protesters of damaging public property for President Trump, while Trump traded sharp rhetoric and raised the prospect of U.S. military action.

Perspectives:

• Iranian authorities: Officials signaled an intensified crackdown, including internet restrictions and warnings of severe punishments for demonstrators. (Bloomberg)
• Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei: Khamenei blamed Washington for the unrest and accused protesters of acting on President Trump’s behalf. (CNBC)
• U.S. government (President Trump): President Trump warned Iran he could hit the country “very hard” amid the escalating unrest. (Benzinga)
• Protesters and supporters: Demonstrations have been framed as protests over worsening economic conditions, with discontent tied to Iran’s faltering economy and currency collapse. (The Seattle Times)

Sources:

• Unrest In Iran Grows Despite Moves By Authorities To Stifle Dissent. - reddit.com
• Trump Threatens To Hit Iran 'Very Hard' As Khamenei Blames US For Deadly Nationwide Protests - benzinga.com
• Iran Warns Protesters of Death Penalty as Crackdown Grows - bloomberg.com
• Protests in Iran near the 2-week mark as authorities intensify crackdown on demonstrators - seattletimes.com
• Iran supreme leader signals crackdown coming as protesters are 'ruining their own streets' for Trump - indiatimes.com
• Iran's leader accuses protesters of acting for Trump - cnbc.com
• Iran supreme leader signals crackdown coming on protesters - abcnews.go.com
• Iran hit by internet blackout as protests over economic conditions continue – video - theguardian.com