Updated: January 10, 2026
Mass protests in Iran have entered their third week, spreading to cities and provinces nationwide as demonstrators challenge the government over an economic crisis and political repression. The unrest, which began in late December 2025, has grown into the most significant wave of protests the country has seen in years, spotlighting public frustration with inflation, currency collapse, and external political pressures. Reuters and other outlets report the government has responded with internet shutdowns and forceful crackdowns, while international figures, including U.S. President Donald Trump, have issued stark warnings.
Nationwide Unrest Rooted in Economic Crisis
The protests erupted on December 28, 2025, initially triggered by a rapidly deteriorating economy. Soaring inflation, a plunging rial, and rising costs of basic goods ignited outrage among shopkeepers, workers, students, and ordinary citizens. Economic distress has become the central thread in the unrest, with inflation rates nearing or exceeding 40% and the Iranian currency reaching historic lows against the U.S. dollar.
Demonstrations began in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar as merchants staged strikes over the currency’s collapse but quickly spread to more than 100 cities across all 31 provinces. Protesters have decried the economic crisis as symptomatic of systemic mismanagement and enduring sanctions, demanding relief and reforms.
Human Cost and Government Response
Rights groups report that dozens of protesters have been killed and thousands detained in clashes with security forces. Casualty figures vary, with some organizations citing more than 60 deaths and over 2,000 arrests, underscoring fears of widespread state repression.
In a further tightening of control, authorities have imposed a near-total internet and phone blackout, severely restricting communications and access to independent reporting from inside the country. Officials justify the shutdown as a security measure, but human rights advocates argue it is aimed at obscuring the scale of the crackdown.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s Hardline Stance
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has taken a defiant stance against the protests. In public addresses, he condemned demonstrators as “rioters” and accused them of serving foreign interests. Khamenei has repeatedly blamed external forces — particularly the United States — for exploiting economic dissatisfaction to destabilize the Islamic Republic.
Accusations and Rhetoric Targeting Foreign Leaders
Khamenei singled out U.S. President Donald Trump in televised remarks, accusing him of being “arrogant” and alleging that his “hands are stained with the blood of Iranians.” In speeches, he argued that protesters and “vandals” were acting to “please” Trump and foreign enemies, urging the U.S. leader to focus on matters at home rather than Iranian affairs.
Despite his hardline posture, Khamenei has also acknowledged the legitimacy of some economic grievances, saying that protesters’ demands related to financial hardship are “fair,” though he warned against what he described as rioting.
International Reactions and Trump’s Involvement
The crisis in Iran has drawn global attention, with foreign governments and rights groups condemning violence against protesters and calling for restraint. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been vocal about the turmoil, issued warnings to Iran’s leadership against using lethal force on demonstrators. Trump’s statements highlighted U.S. concern for civilian lives, though his administration stopped short of direct intervention.
Trump also declined to meet with exiled Iranian opposition figures, signaling limits to U.S. involvement even amid rising tensions. Other global leaders have urged Tehran to respect fundamental rights and engage in dialogue with protest movements.
Political Stakes and Future Prospects
The protests reflect both immediate economic hardships and deeper political frustration with Iran’s theocratic system. While initial demonstrations focused on economic conditions, many protesters have expanded their demands to include calls for greater political freedom and accountability. Chants against the clerical establishment and references to alternative leadership options have been reported in multiple cities.
How the Iranian government navigates this inflection point may shape the country’s trajectory in the coming months. With economic pressures mounting and public discontent at high levels, authorities face mounting pressure both domestically and internationally to find a path toward stability — or risk further escalation.
What Comes Next?
As the protests continue, observers caution that Iran’s deep-rooted economic issues will remain a central challenge. Key questions include whether the leadership can implement substantive economic reforms, how security forces respond to ongoing unrest, and what role, if any, international actors will play in influencing outcomes. With the crisis evolving daily, continued international attention and reporting will be essential to understanding its full impact on the Iranian people and the region at large.
Source: Reuters