The “City Center” Strategy: Prince Pahlavi’s New Call
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Iran is currently gripped by a near-total communications blackout as a wave of anti-government protests, which began in late December, reaches a critical new phase.1 On January 10, 2026, the country remains largely disconnected from the global internet and international phone lines, a move experts say is intended to hide the scale of a lethal state crackdown.
As the Iranian rial hits a staggering low of 1.4 million to $1, exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has escalated his strategy, moving from calls for symbolic chanting to a direct order to “seize and hold” the hearts of major cities.
The Latest: Communications and Casualties
The Iranian government imposed the blackout on Thursday, January 8, following mass demonstrations.3 Connectivity monitors like NetBlocks have confirmed a nationwide drop in traffic, describing it as the most severe shutdown in the nation’s history—even surpassing the 2019 “Bloody Aban” blackout.4
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Death Toll: Rights groups, including the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), report that at least 62 people have died since Dec. 28, with dozens more wounded in cities like Zahedan and Fardis.
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Mass Arrests: Over 2,200 people have been detained as the regime attempts to stifle the movement.5
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Economic Collapse: The rial’s record-breaking plunge has fueled the anger of ordinary citizens who can no longer afford basic provisions.
The “City Center” Strategy: Prince Pahlavi’s New Call
In a transcript issued today, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi praised the “crushing response” of protesters on Friday night and issued a specific set of instructions for Saturday and Sunday (January 10–11).
“Our goal is no longer just to appear in the streets; our goal is to seize and hold the centers of our cities.”
Key Points from the Call to Action:
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Strategic Occupation: Protesters are urged to converge on city centers from multiple routes starting at 6:00 PM local time.
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National Strikes: Pahlavi called for workers in “financial arteries”—oil, gas, energy, and transportation—to begin a nationwide strike to paralyze the regime’s resources.
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Provisions: Demonstrators are being told to prepare for a long-term presence by securing food and supplies to remain in public spaces overnight.
The Global Reaction
The situation is being closely monitored by the Trump administration.6 President Trump has issued warnings that the U.S. is “watching closely” and that the suppression of peaceful protesters “will not go unanswered.”7 Meanwhile, reports of Russian cargo flights landing in Tehran have sparked rumors that the Iranian leadership may be preparing contingency plans or seeking foreign military assistance.8
Timeline of the 2026 Uprising
| Date | Event |
| Dec 28, 2025 | Protests begin over fuel prices and the collapsing Rial. |
| Jan 7, 2026 | Prince Pahlavi issues the first “National Chant” call for 8 PM. |
| Jan 8, 2026 | Government imposes nationwide internet and phone blackout. |
| Jan 9, 2026 | Reports of lethal force used in several provinces; casualties rise. |
| Jan 10, 2026 | New Directive: Call to seize and occupy city centers. |
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