Iranian security forces escalated their response to nationwide economic protests on Tuesday, deploying tear gas to disperse demonstrators at Tehran’s historic Grand Bazaar. The confrontation marks a significant intensification of the government’s crackdown on the most substantial wave of civil unrest to challenge the Islamic Republic since the 2022-2023 demonstrations.
The protests, initially triggered by a severe currency devaluation and soaring living costs, have now resulted in significant casualties. According to Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR), security forces have killed at least 27 protesters during ten days of demonstrations that began in late December. The victims include five minors under age 18, highlighting the violent nature of the state response.
The movement originated on December 28th when merchants at Tehran’s economic hub initiated a shutdown protest against the Iranian rial’s collapse. The demonstrations have since spread to western regions with significant Kurdish and Lor minority populations. While not yet reaching the scale of previous nationwide uprisings, the protests represent a mounting challenge for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s government amid persistent economic crisis and recent regional conflicts.
Verified social media footage obtained by AFP shows protesters chanting anti-government slogans including ‘Pahlavi will return’ and ‘Seyyed Ali will be overthrown’—direct references to the ousted monarchy and current leadership. Additional footage from human rights organizations captures crowds shouting ‘freedom’ and ‘shameless’ before security forces respond with tear gas canisters that send protesters fleeing through narrow alleyways.
Despite government announcements of modest economic relief payments, judiciary officials have warned there will be ‘no leniency’ for those deemed ‘rioters.’ Official Iranian media acknowledges at least 12 fatalities since protests began, including security personnel, but contradicts the higher casualty figures reported by independent organizations.
IHR reports over 1,000 arrests nationwide, with particularly severe crackdowns in western provinces. In one incident in Ilam province’s Malekshahi district, security forces allegedly killed six protesters on Saturday. Amnesty International has condemned subsequent raids on hospitals to detain injured demonstrators as evidence of the regime’s extreme measures to suppress dissent.
The economic grievances fueling the protests continue unabated. The Iranian rial hit a new record low of approximately 1.47 million to the US dollar on black markets, further eroding purchasing power and exacerbating the economic desperation driving citizens into the streets.