TEHRAN – Iran is engulfed in its largest wave of unrest in years, as anti-government protests spread to more than 100 cities across the country. At least 65 people have been killed and over 2,300 arrested in the past two weeks.
What started as outrage over skyrocketing prices in Tehran’s bazaars has morphed into a full-scale challenge to the Islamic Republic, with citizens taking to the streets despite government crackdowns. Authorities imposed sweeping internet and phone blackout, including in Tehran, cutting off access to international news, financial updates, and messaging apps.
One local described the measure as having “backfired,” saying frustration and boredom drove more people into the streets. Satellite TV and a limited Starlink connection are the few ways for Iranians to get outside information.
The unrest started on December 28 after the central bank ended a program allowing certain importers to access cheaper US dollars. This triggered massive price hikes on everyday goods like cooking oil, chicken, eggs, and milk, while some shops were forced to close. Bazaar merchants sparked first demonstrations, followed by students and citizens of all ages, turning an economic protest into a nationwide political revolt.
Protesters have blocked highways, set fires, and chanted slogans like “freedom,” while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned of retaliation. Residents describe a sense of “unstoppable momentum” and defiance, despite severe economic pressures and the ongoing communications blackout.
International leaders voiced concern. European Union, along with France, Germany, and the UK, condemned violence and arbitrary arrests, calling on Iran to allow peaceful demonstrations. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio tweeted his support for the “brave people of Iran,” while President Donald Trump warned Tehran against using force. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused protesters of acting at the behest of the US, telling Trump to focus on domestic issues.
Even the son of Iran’s last shah, Reza Pahlavi, has called for a two-day nationwide strike, urging workers in key industries like transportation, oil, and energy to shut down and reclaim city centers.
Of the reported 65 deaths, HRANA said 50 were protesters, 14 security personnel, and one government-affiliated civilian. Hundreds more face arrests and detention, but the true toll is unknown due to the blackout. Experts warn the protests reveal deep economic mismanagement, corruption, and a government running out of options.
The protests are a stark warning to Iran’s leadership. Citizens, once loyal, are openly challenging a regime they no longer trust. Bazaaris have joined the movement, symbolizing a fracture that could reshape the nation. As inflation rises, communication remains cut off, and tensions escalate, Iran faces one of its most dangerous moments in decades.
