Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei issues warning to U.S. in Russian on social media, signaling Tehran's growing alignment with Moscow amid nationwide protests.

U.S.-based human rights groups monitoring the protests in Iran estimate hundreds of demonstrators have been killed amid a communications blackout.

The United States virtual embassy in Iran urged American nationals to “leave Iran now,” citing protests that are “escalating and may turn violent. ” The United States has blocked the online domain of Tasnim News Agency,

Iran says it seeks peace but is ready to defend itself as protests rage and Khamenei likens Trump to a modern-day Pharaoh.

Anti-government protests have erupted across all 31 of Iran’s provinces in a wave of unrest that marks the biggest challenge to the regime in years.

The comments came after President Trump said he was “ looking at some very strong options” to curb the Iranian authorities’ harsh repression of anti-government protests.

Iran is facing one of its most volatile moments in years as nationwide anti-government protests enter into third week. Internet and phone lines have been cut off by the state, and thousands have been arrested as the government continues a violent crackdown on protesters.

Just after 8 p.m. Thursday, Iran's theocracy pulled the plug and disconnected the Islamic Republic's 85 million people from the rest of the world. Following a playbook used both in demonstrations and in war,