Photo: EPA
Protests have entered their fourth day across Iran as citizens express anger over soaring inflation and the devaluation of the Iranian rial, which has reached record lows against the US dollar, according to DW and BBC.
The unrest began in Tehran, where shop owners at the Grand Bazaar staged strikes, and quickly spread to other cities including Karaj, Hamedan, Qeshm, Malard, Isfahan, Kermanshah, Shiraz, and Yazd. Videos show police deploying tear gas to disperse demonstrators.
Iranian authorities said they “recognize the protests” and pledged to listen “with patience, even in the face of sharp voices.” President Masoud Pezeshkian instructed the Interior Minister to hold talks with “representatives” of the protesters to address problems and take responsible measures. He also accepted the resignation of the central bank governor and appointed the Minister of Economy and Finance as a replacement.
Students have joined the demonstrations, chanting anti-government slogans including “Death to the dictator,” directed at Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to the BBC. Supporters were also heard calling for Reza Pahlavi, the son of the late Shah Mohammed Pahlavi, overthrown during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Pahlavi, living in exile in the US, wrote: “I am with you. Victory is ours because our cause is just and because we are united. As long as this regime remains in power, the economic situation in the country will continue to worsen.”
These protests mark the first major public display of dissent since the 12-day war with Israel in June, which generated widespread patriotic solidarity. Iran’s economy has struggled in recent years following the reimposition of US sanctions in 2018, compounded by renewed UN sanctions in September. In December, inflation in Iran reached 42.5%.
Former US President Donald Trump commented on the situation, saying: “They have many problems: huge inflation, their economy is in collapse, their economy is not in good shape, and I know the people are not very happy,” during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The June 12-day conflict, during which US and Israeli forces targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, led Tehran to halt uranium enrichment. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that all enrichment facilities were attacked during the strikes.
