Iran protests turn more violent with 65 reportedly killed by Friday and over 2,300 arrested as authorities imposed an internet blackout amid nationwide anti-regime unrest.

For a third night in a row, nationwide antigovernment protests rocked Iran, according to witnesses and videos verified by The New York Times, posted on BBC Persian and social media, even as the government intensified its crackdown and the military said it would take to the streets in response to the unrest.

In exile for nearly 50 years, Iran's Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has issued calls urging Iranians to join protests sweeping the country. But support for him may not be clear cut.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio doubled down on U.S. support for Iranian protesters early Saturday morning as the current regime cracked down on growing unrest in the country.

From Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi to imprisoned activists, Iran's potential successors remain unclear. Opposition figures debate who could unify after regime change.

Demonstrations that began as outrage at the state of the economy have spread to cities across the country, amid an escalating crackdown by the authorities.

Iran was largely cut off from the outside world after authorities blacked out the internet to curb growing unrest, as video showed buildings and vehicles ablaze in anti-government protests raging through the streets of several cities.

Iran protests spread to 180 cities as authorities allegedly use lethal force against demonstrators, with Human Rights Activists in Iran reporting 65 killed and 2,300 arrested.