Mass nationwide protests surge in Iran after currency crash and crackdown

According to Time, mass protests have erupted across Iran and appear to be the largest in at least 17 years, with security forces deploying riot police, tear gas and live ammunition against demonstrators. The unrest began after the rial plunged to 1.48 million to the dollar on Dec.

28, prompting merchants in Tehran’s central bazaar to protest and sparking demonstrations that spread to all 31 provinces within a week. What began as economic grievance shifted into wider calls for overthrow of the Islamic Republic amid years of alleged mismanagement, renewed U.N.

sanctions and longstanding anger over state-enforced social restrictions, including the nationwide unrest in 2022 after the death of a young woman in custody. Authorities shut down the internet and phone networks on the evening of Thursday, Jan. 8, and reports indicate security forces used live fire.

Key Topics

World, Iran, Iranian Rial, Tehran Bazaar, Ali Khamenei, Reza Pahlavi