Five things to know about the Iranian protests

Uprisings in Iran tend to die out because of a lack of leadership, clear organization and goals. If the protests persist, the regime may crack down harder on them, with mass arrests and military lockdowns.

In a post on his Twitter account, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote of his support for the Iranian protesters, saying that the world was watching. Other American officials and political figures, such as House Speaker Paul Ryan (R., Wis.) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.), also have expressed solidarity with the people of Iran.

Foreign support can often be detrimental for protesters within Iran, as it routinely is used by the regime to undermine homegrown opposition demands.