Iran is facing its most significant internal challenge in years as massive anti-government protests sweep through Tehran and over 100 other cities, sparked by a catastrophic collapse of the national currency and soaring living costs.

Verified footage shows thousands of demonstrators marching through the capital, chanting slogans against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—a rare and dangerous act of defiance in the Islamic Republic. The unrest has now entered its 12th consecutive day, with no sign of abating.

The Spark

While political repression is a constant grievance, the immediate trigger is economic. The Iranian Rial has nosedived, wiping out savings and making basic goods unaffordable. Inflation is rampant, and for many Iranians, there is simply nothing left to lose.

• The Toll: Human rights groups report that at least 45 protesters, including eight children, have been killed by security forces. Over 2,000 have been arrested.
• The Demands: Calls for the return of Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the former Shah, indicate a deep disillusionment with the clerical establishment.
• Digital Blackout: In a bid to stifle coordination, the regime has imposed a near-total internet blackout, a tactic often used to mask crackdowns.

Regime in Crisis

Analysts suggest this wave of protests is different because it bridges the gap between the urban middle class and the working poor. With the economy in freefall, the regime’s usual tools of suppression may not be enough to put the genie back in the bottle.