Iran is once again at the center of global attention as waves of protests sweep across the country, highlighting deep economic grievances, political tension, and social unrest. Beginning in late December 2025, what started as a protest over skyrocketing prices in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar has grown into a nationwide movement spanning more than half of Iran’s 31 provinces, drawing participation from shopkeepers, students, laborers, and ordinary citizens alike. With a history of civil unrest, sanctions that have crippled the economy, and heightened international tensions, the situation in Iran is both complex and precarious.
Economic Hardship: The Catalyst for Unrest
The immediate trigger for the current protests is the dramatic collapse of the Iranian rial, which fell to 1.42 million to the US dollar in late December, representing a 56% decline in just six months. The currency’s devaluation has driven inflation to historic levels, with prices of food and essential goods skyrocketing. Average food prices are reported to have risen 72% compared to the previous year, while some dairy and staple goods have increased more than tenfold.
Iran’s economy is under significant strain due to decades of international sanctions. These measures restrict the country’s access to global financial markets, freeze foreign assets, and limit trade, leaving Iran increasingly reliant on imports. This dependence exacerbates inflation and deepens economic inequality.
Many citizens are experiencing real hardship. Taxi driver Majid Ebrahimi described to international media the everyday struggles: “If only the government, instead of just focusing on fuel, could bring down the price of other goods. The prices of dairy products have gone up six times this year, and other goods more than ten times.”
For many Iranians, the combination of economic mismanagement, systemic corruption, and international isolation has made life increasingly untenable. While government officials claim to be enacting reforms, for ordinary citizens, these promises often feel distant from reality.
The Scale and Spread of the Protests
The protests began on Sunday, December 28, 2025, when shopkeepers in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar shuttered their businesses in response to rising costs. Within days, demonstrations spread to 17 provinces, with thousands of people taking to the streets. Social media images depict crowds attacking government offices, banks, and mosques, while security forces have responded with tear gas and arrests.
So far, at least seven people have died and 44 have been arrested, though unofficial reports suggest higher numbers. Cities such as Lordegan and Azna have witnessed particularly intense confrontations, with protesters clashing directly with police. The demonstrations have also drawn students, civil servants, and ordinary citizens, indicating that frustration is not limited to one sector of society but permeates multiple layers of the population.
The protests, while initially focused on economic issues, are increasingly political, reflecting broader dissatisfaction with governance, corruption, and perceived inequality. Observers note that when economic grievances intersect with political discontent, the potential for sustained unrest rises.
Government Response: Balancing Repression and Reform
Iran’s government faces a difficult situation. Historically, the state has responded to unrest with harsh measures, including arrests, tear gas, and even live ammunition. Yet the current administration under President Masoud Pezeshkian appears to be attempting a more cautious approach.
In a bid to address grievances, the government has made several moves:
Appointment of a new central bank governor, Abdolnaser Hemmati, tasked with stabilizing the collapsing rial.
Removal of campus security managers from major universities following student protests, signaling responsiveness to public demands.
Public statements emphasizing anti-corruption efforts and commitment to protecting citizens’ livelihoods.
At a recent ceremony commemorating the assassination of IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani, Pezeshkian stated: “We are determined to eradicate all forms of rent-seeking, smuggling and bribery. Those who benefit from these rents will resist and try to create obstacles, but we will continue on this path.” He added that safeguarding the rights of the underprivileged is a red line for the government, an attempt to reassure protesters while asserting authority.
Yet skepticism remains. Critics argue that previous reforms have often been slow, inconsistent, or superficial, raising doubts about the government’s ability to genuinely address the economic and political concerns driving the unrest.
Historical Context: Protests in Iran
Iran has a recent history of significant social unrest. In 2022, the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old detained for allegedly violating hijab regulations, sparked nationwide demonstrations. Women and men took to the streets, ripping off headscarves in acts of defiance. The state’s response was harsh, involving tens of thousands of arrests, extensive use of tear gas, and reports of hundreds of unlawful deaths.
A 2024 United Nations investigation into the government’s response concluded that its actions amounted to “crimes against humanity”, a claim Tehran dismissed as biased. While some enforcement of morality policing has been relaxed since then, fear of repression remains a persistent factor in Iranian society.
Understanding this history is crucial: the current protests are not isolated events but part of a pattern of Iranian citizens mobilizing in response to perceived injustice, whether economic, political, or social.
International Dimensions
The unrest in Iran is drawing international attention. Former US President Donald Trump commented on social media, warning that violent crackdowns could trigger intervention. Similarly, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted messages supportive of protesters, invoking pre-revolutionary symbols of resistance.
These developments are taking place against a backdrop of heightened regional tension. In June 2025, Israel and the US conducted a 12-day conflict with Iran, targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities. Speculation continues about possible future strikes, potentially involving Tehran’s allies such as Hezbollah. President Pezeshkian has issued warnings of a “harsh and discouraging” response to external aggression, signaling that domestic unrest could intertwine with broader geopolitical risks.
The international dimension is significant because it shapes the government’s calculations. Any harsh suppression of protests could draw international condemnation and further sanctions, while external pressure may embolden protesters or fuel nationalist rhetoric.
The Road Ahead: Uncertainty and Risk
The trajectory of Iran’s protests remains uncertain. Economic suffering is real and widespread, political grievances are long-standing, and demonstrations are growing in scale and intensity. The government’s approach, balancing symbolic concessions with cautious enforcement, may either defuse tensions or inflame them further.
Potential scenarios include:
Negotiation and reform: If the government successfully implements meaningful economic relief and anti-corruption measures, protests may gradually subside.
Escalation: Should demonstrations continue to grow, or if security forces respond with greater force, Iran could face sustained civil unrest with significant casualties.
International entanglement: With US and Israeli attention on the situation, external actors could influence the outcome, either through sanctions, diplomatic pressure, or military threats.
For ordinary Iranians, the stakes are immediate: rising prices, uncertainty about the future, and the risk of violence on the streets. For the international community, Iran’s unrest is a reminder of the complex interplay between domestic grievances, governance, and geopolitical tension in the Middle East.
Conclusion
The protests sweeping Iran in early 2026 are a manifestation of deep economic, political, and social pressures. While citizens demand relief and reform, the government faces the challenge of addressing these grievances without losing control. International attention adds another layer of complexity, making Iran’s situation a potential flashpoint for wider regional and global consequences.
As the streets of Tehran and cities across Iran remain filled with protesters, one reality is clear: the Iranian people are sending a strong message. They seek not only economic relief but accountability, justice, and hope for a future that respects their rights and dignity. How the government responds in the coming weeks will define the nation’s path and may have repercussions far beyond its borders.
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