Anti-government protests in Tehran [Reuters Yonhap News]

Despite the Iranian authorities' crackdown, anti-government protests are intensifying for the second week.

Even with warnings that anyone participating in protests will be executed, the protests continue, leading to an increase in deaths and detentions.

According to foreign media outlets such as AP, AFP, and Reuters on the 10th (local time), Iran's Attorney General Mohammad Movahedi Azad announced in a statement on state television that day, "Anyone who participates in the protests will be considered an enemy of God, and this is an offense punishable by death."

He also warned that those who aided the protestors would face the same charges.

The statement emphasized, "Those who betray the nation and seek foreign domination will be brought to justice without delay," adding, "There will be no tolerance, compassion, or leniency."

The Revolutionary Guard, Iran's elite military force, also issued a statement the same day, declaring, "Protecting security is a red line," and "The current situation cannot be allowed to continue." The Iranian military also reaffirmed its hardline stance, stating, "We will protect the nation's interests, strategic infrastructure, and public property."

The statements released consecutively by the authorities that day were interpreted as a move to further escalate their response by defining the anti-government protests as illegal acts and security threats.

Video footage of Iranian protestors obtained by foreign media [AP Yonhap News]

However, the fervor of the protests has not subsided despite the government's threats.

Protest videos obtained by AFP and other outlets show citizens banging pots and pans and chanting anti-government slogans such as "Death to Khamenei." Cars were also seen honking their horns to show support.

As clashes between the authorities and protestors continue, the number of deaths and detentions is also increasing.

A doctor from northwestern Iran told Reuters that many injured individuals were transported to hospitals starting the previous day. It was reported that five out of 20 people brought to one hospital with live ammunition wounds had died.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), based in the United States, stated that as of the previous day, a total of 65 people had died, including 50 protestors. This is an increase of three from the figure reported the day before. According to the Norwegian human rights group Hengaw, an estimated 2,500 protestors have been detained over the past two weeks. Russian state news agency TASS reported that 25 Iranian law enforcement officers had died in attacks by protestors.

Amnesty International (AI) stated, "We are analyzing the devastating reports that authorities are escalating the use of lethal force," and noted that the crackdown is leading to an increasing number of deaths and injuries.

Given that the Iranian government has completely blocked international calls and the internet since the 8th, preventing communication with the outside world, there are concerns that the actual extent of the damage may be greater.

Shirin Ebadi, an Iranian human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, expressed concern about the internet shutdown, stating it "could be to prepare for a massacre."

Acclaimed Iranian directors Jafar Panahi, who won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival last year, and his colleague Mohammad Rasoulof, also criticized the communication shutdown as "the most blatant tool of repression."

This suggests that the authorities may be able to suppress the protestors more brutally while cutting off external communication.

Iranian state media reports that the city is under stable control, focusing on the violence of the protestors and the casualties suffered by government forces.

Reza Pahlavi speaking in front of the UN European Headquarters in Geneva [EPA Yonhap News]

Reza Pahlavi, the last crown prince of the Pahlavi dynasty overthrown by the 1979 Iranian Revolution, said in a social media video message that day, "Our goal is to prepare to take control of the cities," and "We are preparing to return to our homeland."

Pahlavi has been instigating and fueling the current anti-government protests through social media recently.

The United States and major European countries have expressed concern over the Iranian government's crackdown and have repeatedly urged restraint.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote on social media that day, "The United States supports the brave Iranian people." This marks the second consecutive day that the U.S. has expressed support for the protestors, following President Donald Trump's suggestion of possible intervention the previous day.

The leaders of France, the United Kingdom, and Germany also issued a joint statement the previous day, calling for restraint from the Iranian authorities.

While the current protests were triggered by economic difficulties, the pent-up anger in response to the government's harsh measures has erupted, posing a threat to Iran's theocratic regime centered around Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.