Iran, like most countries, is no stranger to protests. From the Islamic revolution of 1917 to the student-led protests in 2003, Iran has had its share of opposition. Starting in late December of 2025, protests and tensions have intensified within the country. Hundreds of news agencies have covered it, each pressing a different view than the last. So what is really going on in Iran? Why is it happening? And most importantly, is there an end in sight?
The Preclude
Iran has recently been in an economic recession due to sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union.
Due to the recession, inflation has risen by 40% (AP News). This inflation has affected everything, from food to housing. Food, in particular, became a breaking point for most Iranians. Not only was food at a sky-high price, but domestic agriculture produced its lowest supply in decades, creating scarcity among some produce. Meat, fish, rice, and fresh produce are harder to come by in the current economy. One message from an individual to Iran International, a news source, reads:
“Everything has been removed from my basket: fruit, dairy, meat, legumes. The only things I can still manage, with difficulty, are Indian rice, eggs, and potatoes.”
Food wasn’t the only breaking point for Iranians. The government price increase for subsidized gas in early December caused a major outcry. This was the first time Iran had changed its government-subsidized gas prices since the 2019 protests (which also attempted to combat gas prices). These prices were revealed in late November and have not changed since then. Additionally, Iran’s 12-day war with Israel in June 2025 substantially affected both Iran’s military power and the morale of its citizens.
Taking Action
On December 28, 2025, protests broke out in two major market centers in Tehran directly after Iran’s main currency, the rial, hit its record low. The following day, Central Bank head Mohammad Reza Farzin resigned in response to the protests. The protests spread all across Tehran, and the police were brought out. The police attempted to disperse the protesters using tear gas.
After the display, protests spread to other cities and eventually became a national phenomenon. On January 1, the first casualties of the protests were reported by authorities: 7 people in different parts of the country. Eventually, the protests shifted to the issues with the current government due to protesters being injured and killed. On January 3rd, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated, “Rioters must be put in their place.” This led to protests in over 170 locations in 25 provinces, with 15 people killed and 580 arrested. As reported by HRANA. After a constant struggle between the protesters and the Iranian government, everything blacks out, though it’s not the electricity. On January 8th, the government blocked the internet and cut all international telephone calls in a bid to stop outside influence, leading to an internet blackout.
As it currently stands, over 2,000 have been killed and 33,000 injured or arrested. President Trump and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have agreed to nuclear talks in Oman. Besides nuclear talks, President Trump is expected by several news outlets to discuss the protesting situation with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This is based on Trump’s earlier statements about the protests on Truth Social that if Iran “violently kills peaceful protesters,” the United States “will come to their rescue.” While it isn’t known if or when the protests will stop, demonstrators argue that demands must be met and the Iranian people must be taken care of.
Sources
https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-us-israel-war-economy-d5da3b5f56449dd3871c9438c07f069f
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202511142178
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202511259990
https://apnews.com/article/iran-subsidized-gasoline-price-increase-ec18d69bf4e977fefc9c92b8f8f62215
