Protests swept Iran in early January over economic woes and government anger, turning into calls to end the Islamic Republic. The crackdown was fierce. Iran’s internet and phone networks were cut, leaving people isolated. Death toll estimates vary widely, from over 3,000 (official) to up to 25,000 (human rights groups). Mojdeh, an Iranian-American stranded in Tehran during the unrest, recalled streets filled with crowds and fierce government response. She said, "It felt like people had occupied Tehran." Iranian authorities blame "rioters" for deaths; human rights activists dispute these claims. US President Donald Trump supports the protesters and described talks with Iran as "very good" and said Iran "looks like it wants to make a deal very badly." Among Iranians abroad, opinions differ on US intervention. Shirin, living in California, believes foreign help is needed to stop violence: "If the head of the snake is not cut off, the venom spreads." Meanwhile, Roozbeh Farahanipour, a former political prisoner, warned US help could backfire and stressed that regime change should come from within through unity and public action. Ali, another Iranian-American, feels reform is impossible without outside pressure, favoring targeted US strikes against regime infrastructure rather than full invasion. Activist Hemad Nazari, based in Denmark, gathers protest stories from inside Iran and said many Iranians feel intervention is "the only way" despite risks to civilians. Since protests began, at least 40,000 arrests have been reported amid ongoing repression. Medical staff face raids for helping protesters, though officials deny arrests. The internet remains partly blocked. As the world watches, Iranians grapple with heartbreak and fear for their nation’s fate. Shirin sums up the worry: "It's not even about our family - it's 90 million people we're worried about."