Protests are spreading across Iran as the authorities respond with threats and a harsher crackdown, while US officials are reportedly examining possible military action if needed to enforce President Donald Trump's warnings.
Reports put the number taking to the streets at more than 1.5 million during some of the largest anti-government demonstrations in years.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps blamed “terrorists” for the unrest and said it would protect the governing system.
On Saturday, Trump wrote on social media: “Iran is looking at freedom, perhaps as never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”
Further violent incidents were reported across the country, although the internet shutdown made it difficult to assess their extent.
The report cited BBC Persian as saying that one Tehran hospital had recorded 110 deaths the previous day. It also cited estimates of more than 2,000 deaths since demonstrations began on 28 December. The blackout prevented a full independent assessment of the figures.
Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Pegasus and FlyDubai cancelled flights to Tehran amid the instability.
Videos posted after sunset on Saturday appeared to show protests in several Tehran neighbourhoods and in Rasht, Tabriz, Shiraz and Kerman. Reuters could not immediately verify the latest footage.
State media reported that a municipal building in Karaj, west of Tehran, had been set on fire, blaming rioters.
State television also showed funerals of security personnel it said had been killed during demonstrations in Shiraz, Qom and Hamedan.
The protests began on 28 December in response to soaring inflation and quickly became political, with demonstrators demanding an end to clerical rule.
Authorities accused the United States and Israel of fomenting the unrest.
A senior US intelligence official described the situation as an endurance contest: opponents were trying to maintain pressure until key officials fled or changed sides, while the authorities sought to frighten people off the streets without giving Washington grounds to intervene.
Preliminary discussions about US action
Trump's Truth Social message saying Iran was looking towards freedom and the United States was ready to help was interpreted by some as signalling a possible attack.
US billionaire Bill Ackman responded on social media: “Here we go.”
According to Wall Street Journal sources cited by Clash Report, Trump administration officials held preliminary discussions about how an attack might be carried out if needed to implement the President's warnings.
One official said a large-scale air strike against multiple Iranian military targets was among the options discussed.
Another said there was no consensus on a course of action and no military equipment or personnel had yet been moved to prepare an attack.
Lindsey Graham tells protesters help is coming
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham posted a message on X to Iranian protesters, which Trump subsequently shared.
“Your long nightmare is soon coming to an end. Your bravery and determination to end your oppression has been noticed by the President and all who love freedom,” Graham wrote.
He continued:
“When President Trump says ‘Make Iran Great Again’, that means the protesters in Iran must prevail over the Ayatollah.
“This is the clearest signal yet that President Trump understands Iran will never be great with the Ayatollah and his henchmen in charge.
“To all who are sacrificing in Iran, God bless. Help is on the way.”
Tehran accuses Washington and Israel
Trump's offer of help came as Iranian authorities hardened their response to the demonstrations.
The Revolutionary Guards attributed the unrest to terrorist groups and described preservation of the system as a red line.
Their intelligence service also announced the arrest of a foreign national suspected of spying for Israel.
Reports of further unrest continued, but the internet shutdown restricted independent assessment. The initial report reiterated that Reuters had not been able to verify the latest protest videos.
