Iran has vowed it will ‘not back down’ in the face of growing nationwide protests over economic conditions. Thousands of people marched through the streets of Tehran, calling for political reform and torching government buildings. The protest movement, active in all provinces of Iran, is the most significant challenge to authorities in years. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayotollah Ali Khamenei has signalled that a greater crackdown was coming after the country plunged into an internet blackout. The regime has blamed the US for instigating demonstrations and accused protesters of working on behalf of foreign agendas.