Security has been tightened significantly in Tehran, amid uncertainty over the next developments following the wave of protests that have rocked Iran in recent weeks. A resident of the capital told Al Jazeera that the presence of security forces has increased significantly, while authorities are keeping the situation under strict control. Iranian airspace has reopened to civilian traffic after a temporary closure, while the protests have subsided, but tension remains high.
In this climate, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander declared that the Iranian armed forces are at “the highest possible readiness.” General Mohammad Karami said that Iran is facing a “comprehensive and hybrid war,” spanning economic, social, political and cyber fronts.
In parallel, the administration of US President Donald Trump announced new sanctions on Iran, hitting more than a dozen companies and individuals, including Fardis Prison. The sanctions include entities based in the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Iran itself.
Meanwhile, Iran's Defense Minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, issued a strong warning to those the government labels "terrorists" after the unrest, declaring that the state will use all its capabilities to suppress them. He repeated accusations that the protests were instigated by the US and Israel, with the aim of destabilizing the country.
On the diplomatic front, Canada announced that a Canadian citizen had been killed in Iran during protests, directly blaming the Iranian authorities. The Canadian Foreign Minister condemned the violence and called for an immediate end to the repression.
On the other hand, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian tried to reduce tensions, promising economic reforms, a fight against corruption and measures to stabilize the currency, in an attempt to address the dissatisfaction that fueled the protests.
Amid sanctions, military threats, and social discontent, Iran appears to be entering a new phase of domestic and international confrontation, where any development could ignite the streets again.
