Iran is experiencing its most significant civil unrest in years as nationwide protests intensify against the clerical leadership. The demonstrations, which originated on December 28th following the collapse of Iran’s rial currency to unprecedented lows, have now expanded across all 31 provinces with reports of gatherings in 348 distinct locations.
The Norway-based organization Iran Human Rights has documented at least 45 fatalities since the movement began, including eight minors, with Wednesday marking the deadliest day of confrontations. Security forces have allegedly employed live ammunition against demonstrators, resulting in hundreds of injuries and over 2,000 arrests according to human rights monitors. Iranian state media, however, maintains a significantly lower official death toll of 21 individuals, including security personnel.
In response to the escalating situation, authorities have implemented a comprehensive internet blackout across the nation, severely restricting information flow and communication capabilities. Despite this digital suppression and the violent crackdown, protests continued into Thursday night with significant gatherings reported on Tehran’s Ayatollah Kashani Boulevard and in numerous other urban centers.
The current wave of dissent presents a substantial challenge to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s administration, which already contends with severe economic difficulties exacerbated by prolonged international sanctions. The protests have drawn international attention, with U.S. President Donald Trump issuing a stark warning against further violence toward demonstrators, while German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul condemned Tehran’s ‘excessive use of force.’
Notably, the movement has seen participation from diverse segments of society, including Kurdish regions where opposition parties called for a general strike, and academic institutions where final examinations at Tehran’s Amir Kabir University were postponed. Symbolic acts of defiance have emerged, including the toppling of a statue commemorating Qassem Soleimani, the Revolutionary Guards commander killed in a 2020 U.S. strike.
This represents the most widespread challenge to Iran’s leadership since the 2022-2023 demonstrations triggered by Mahsa Amini’s death in custody, with current protests echoing similar anti-establishment sentiments and calls for political change.