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Protests and clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement have significantly intensified the unrest. Economic hardship has led to violent incidents across several regions. Since the United States reimposed sanctions in 2018, Iran’s economy has been under strain.
On Friday, President Donald Trump stated that if Iran resorts to shooting and killing peaceful protesters, the U.S. will intervene to protect them. He announced on Truth Social, “We are locked and loaded and ready to go.” This statement comes amid reports of multiple deaths during Iran’s largest protests in three years, sparked by economic struggles that have escalated across various provinces.
The protests began peacefully last Tuesday in the capital and quickly spread after students from at least ten universities joined in. The unrest is centered around the government’s mishandling of a sharp currency depreciation and soaring prices. Shops and merchants initially led the demonstrations, which have since turned more violent.
Iran’s economy has been in decline for years, especially after the U.S. reinstated sanctions three years ago following Trump’s withdrawal from the nuclear deal. Violence has broken out in places like Lordegan and Azna, where security forces clashed with protesters, resulting in casualties. In Lordegan, protesters reportedly threw stones at government buildings, prompting police to use tear gas; the buildings suffered considerable damage, and several leading figures were detained. In Azna, protesters targeted a police station during demonstrations.
Earlier, state media reported that a security officer was killed in Kouhdasht during the protests. The deputy governor of Lorestan, Said Pourali, identified the fallen officer as a 21-year-old Basij volunteer, a force linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Several police and Basij personnel sustained injuries from stone-throwing during the clashes.
The current protests are less intense than those in 2022, which erupted after Mahsa Amini’s death in custody—an event that triggered widespread outrage, resulting in hundreds of deaths, including security personnel. This week’s protests began peacefully but grew after students at multiple universities joined in.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged the public’s legitimate concerns in a televised address, emphasizing the importance of resolving economic issues to prevent further unrest. He warned that neglecting the people’s livelihoods could lead to disastrous consequences. Meanwhile, authorities have vowed to take a firm stance and warned against exploiting the situation for chaos.
Coverage of the demonstrations varies among Iranian media outlets, with some emphasizing economic difficulties and others depicting troublemakers inciting violence. Iran declared a bank holiday on Wednesday, citing energy conservation during cold weather, though officials did not link this to the protests. The official weekend begins on Thursday, with Saturday being a national holiday.
The prosecutor general has affirmed that peaceful economic protests are protected, but any efforts to destabilize the country will be met with a decisive response. Recently, a viral video showed a protester sitting serenely in the middle of a Tehran street facing down motorcycle police, reminiscent of the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident—though authorities later claimed the footage was staged.
Authorities have reportedly arrested several individuals believed to be connected to foreign-backed groups aiming to incite violence. Iran’s national currency, the rial, has plummeted over a third in value against the dollar in the past year, compounded by persistent hyperinflation, which has severely impacted citizens’ purchasing power. December’s inflation rate reached 52%, according to official statistics.
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