Iran is experiencing its largest wave of nationwide protests since the 2022–2023 Mahsa Amini uprising. The unrest, now in its 10th day, began on December 28, 2025, and has spread to over 100–250 locations across 26–27 of Iran’s 31 provinces, including major cities like Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz, Kermanshah, and smaller towns such as Malekshahi and Shahrekord.
Triggers and Causes
- Economic Collapse: Sparked by shopkeepers striking in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar over the Iranian rial’s record plunge (reaching ~1.45 million to the USD before slight recovery). Inflation hit 42–52.6% in December 2025, with food prices up ~72% and medical goods ~50%.
- Broader Grievances: Chronic issues including U.S./Western sanctions, mismanagement, corruption, energy blackouts, and a severe water shortage (exacerbated by climate change and over-extraction). Protests quickly evolved from economic demands to political ones, with chants like “Death to the Dictator” (targeting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei) and echoes of “Woman, Life, Freedom” from 2022.
Scale and Developments
- Protests involve strikes (e.g., ongoing in Tehran Bazaar), funerals turning into rallies, clashes with security forces, arson on government buildings/Basij bases, and Molotov cocktails in some areas.
- Participation: Includes merchants, students, youth (Gen Z), pensioners, and ethnic minorities (e.g., in western/southern provinces).
- Recent (Jan 6): Strikes continue in Tehran; tear gas used in metro; gatherings outside detention centers; reports of elderly protesters beaten.
Casualties and Repression
- Deaths: At least 16–29 protesters (including 3–4 children), plus 2 security forces personnel (per Human Rights Activists News Agency – HRANA, a U.S.-based monitor with on-ground networks).
- Arrests: Nearly 1,000–1,203, including minors; hospital raids to detain wounded.
- Security Response: Live ammunition, tear gas, internet slowdowns/blackouts; Supreme Leader Khamenei distinguished “protesters” (talk to them) from “rioters” (crack down).
Government Response
- President Masoud Pezeshkian: Acknowledged “legitimate grievances,” promised dialogue, economic reforms (e.g., eliminating subsidized rates, direct subsidies), and appointed a new central bank governor.
- Concessions: Announced ~1 million tomans (~$7) monthly payments/vouchers for all citizens to ease costs.
- Officials describe regime in “survival mode”; fears of escalation amid U.S. threats.
International Context
- U.S. President Donald Trump: Warned Iran against killing peaceful protesters (“U.S. will come to their rescue”); posed with “Make Iran Great Again” hat.
- Fears in Tehran: U.S. Venezuela operation (capturing Maduro) seen as precedent; Israeli intelligence claims Khamenei has Moscow escape plan.
- UN: Secretary-General “deeply saddened” by deaths; called for peaceful protest rights.
The protests remain leaderless and driven by accumulated frustrations, not yet matching 2022’s intensity but posing a serious challenge amid Iran’s isolation and vulnerabilities. Situation fluid—monitor reliable sources for updates, as state media downplays and social media videos are hard to verify independently.