Iranian protesters rename streets after Trump as crackdown intensifies under Supreme Leader

TEHRAN, IRAN: Iran is experiencing intense nationwide protests as demonstrators escalate their actions against the Islamic Republic’s leadership. In a striking and symbolic gesture, some protesters have renamed streets in Tehran after President Donald Trump. 

They also displayed messages pleading, “Don’t let them kill us,” reflecting their appeal to the president for protection. The unrest has drawn wide attention as it spreads through major cities and is met with an expanding government crackdown.

Iranian protestors rename streets after Donald Trump

Protesters have ramped up nationwide demonstrations in recent weeks, directly appealing to Trump while chanting anti-regime slogans. Footage going viral on Wednesday, January 7, showed a protester in Tehran symbolically renaming a street after Trump.

The appeals came as demonstrators faced a widening security crackdown, including the deployment of armed units and tear gas near major civilian sites in the capital.

Exiled Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi said the ongoing unrest marks a rare and historic chance to bring an end to Iran’s Islamic Republic. “In all these years, I’ve never seen an opportunity as we see today in Iran,” Pahlavi said during an interview that aired Tuesday with Sean Hannity.

He also said, "Iranian people are more than ever committed to bringing an end to this regime, as the world has witnessed the last few days. The levels of demonstrations are unprecedented in Iran — over 100 cities, millions of people in the streets chanting 'death to the dictator' and 'end to this regime.'"

Pahlavi also added that defections are increasing and that 'the regime is crumbling and is very close to collapsing.' Iran International reported that demonstrations and labor strikes have persisted nationwide, affecting cities such as Tehran, Tabriz, Qazvin, Kermanshah, Kerman, Shiraz, Falavarjan and Bandar Abbas. 

Security measures were extended into sensitive civilian areas. Footage released by Iran International showed tear gas being deployed near or inside Tehran’s Sina Hospital and the Plasco Shopping Center.

Donald Trump and peaceful protest crackdown in Iran

The death and arrest tolls continue to rise. Citing the Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 36 people have died since the protests started, including 34 demonstrators and two security personnel, with over 2,000 arrests reported across the country.

Iranian officials have not provided updated official statistics. Recent footage showed protesters setting fires in the streets of Shiraz while chanting 'Death to Khamenei,' in reference to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

In the city of Qazvin, demonstrators were also heard shouting, 'Law enforcement, return to the side of the nation.' Workers became part of the unrest as well, with strikes reported at the South Pars gas refinery and many shops closing across major markets near the capital.

Trump has previously warned Iran's authorities against killing peaceful protesters, saying Washington "will come to their rescue". In a brief post on social media, he wrote, "We are locked and loaded and ready to go," but gave no further details.

A senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Ali Larijani responded by saying Trump should "be careful" if he intervened, warning of potential chaos across the Middle East.

Larijani further warned, "Trump should know that US interference in this internal matter would mean destabilizing the entire region and destroying America's interests."