Iran's ongoing internet blackout has entered its second day, as anti-government protests persist across the country. The blackout, which has been in place for over 36 hours, has sparked a wave of nationwide unrest. The protests, which began on December 28th, have been fueled by rising inflation and frustration with Iran's conservative rulers and security forces. The situation has escalated to the point where US President Donald Trump has threatened to attack Iran if security forces respond with force. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has responded by blaming the US for inciting the protests and urging Trump to focus on his own country. The protests have spread to over 100 cities, with a notable beginning in the bazaaris, a powerful force for change in Iran's history. The bazaaris, traditionally supportive of the Islamic Republic, initiated the demonstrations after the central bank ended a program allowing importers to access cheaper US dollars. This move led to increased prices and some shopkeepers shuttering their doors, sparking the protests. The enduring alliance between the bazaaris and the clergy has played a crucial role in Iran's history, with the shopkeepers acting as kingmakers. However, the impact of currency fluctuations on their business has now led to deadly protests. Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last shah, has called for a two-day strike across the country, which has been rocked by over 10 days of anti-government protests. His online video address comes during a government-imposed internet blackout, implemented amid ongoing unrest. The exiled opposition figure has called for workers and employees in key sectors of the economy, especially transportation, oil and gas, and energy, to begin a nationwide strike. The situation remains tense, with the future of Iran's political landscape uncertain.
