ONGOING NEWS: Protests and Riots Erupt Across Iran Amid Political Tensions.
ONGOING NEWS: Protests and Riots Erupt Across Iran Amid Political Tensions.
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Tehran, Iran – January 2026 — Widespread protests that began in late December 2025 have continued across Iran into January 2026, evolving from demonstrations over economic hardship into one of the most significant waves of unrest in years. The protests have drawn responses from Iranian authorities that include internet blackouts, a forceful security crackdown, and conflicting official narratives about the causes and goals of the movement.
Tehran, Iran – January 2026 — Widespread protests that began in late December 2025 have continued across Iran into January 2026, evolving from demonstrations over economic hardship into one of the most significant waves of unrest in years. The protests have drawn responses from Iranian authorities that include internet blackouts, a forceful security crackdown, and conflicting official narratives about the causes and goals of the movement.
Origins of the Protests
Origins of the Protests
The protests began on 28 December 2025 when merchants and shopkeepers in Tehran’s historic Grand Bazaar closed their businesses to protest a sharp deterioration in economic conditions, including soaring inflation, a collapsing currency (the rial), and rising prices for food and essential goods.
The protests began on 28 December 2025 when merchants and shopkeepers in Tehran’s historic Grand Bazaar closed their businesses to protest a sharp deterioration in economic conditions, including soaring inflation, a collapsing currency (the rial), and rising prices for food and essential goods.
Over the following days, demonstrations spread far beyond the capital. Demonstrators marched in cities across Iran’s 31 provinces, including Isfahan, Mashhad and Shiraz, with chants and slogans that at times moved beyond purely economic grievances to express broader dissatisfaction with the country’s political leadership and governance.
Over the following days, demonstrations spread far beyond the capital. Demonstrators marched in cities across Iran’s 31 provinces, including Isfahan, Mashhad and Shiraz, with chants and slogans that at times moved beyond purely economic grievances to express broader dissatisfaction with the country’s political leadership and governance.
Scale and Participation
Scale and Participation
By early January 2026, monitoring groups and human rights organizations reported a significant number of protests nationwide, with well over 300 distinct demonstrations taking place since late December. Participants have included bazaar traders, students and youth, as well as workers and residents from diverse regions.
By early January 2026, monitoring groups and human rights organizations reported a significant number of protests nationwide, with well over 300 distinct demonstrations taking place since late December. Participants have included bazaar traders, students and youth, as well as workers and residents from diverse regions.
The unrest marks one of the largest protest movements in Iran since the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement of 2022 and 2023, which followed the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.
The unrest marks one of the largest protest movements in Iran since the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement of 2022 and 2023, which followed the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.
Government Response and Crackdown
Government Response and Crackdown
Iranian authorities have responded with a nationwide internet and telecommunications blackout aimed at restricting communication and the flow of information. Reports from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch describe a pattern of violence and mass arrests by security forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and police units, as part of efforts to disperse and suppress protests.
Iranian authorities have responded with a nationwide internet and telecommunications blackout aimed at restricting communication and the flow of information. Reports from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch describe a pattern of violence and mass arrests by security forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and police units, as part of efforts to disperse and suppress protests.
Human rights organizations estimate that dozens of protesters and bystanders have been killed since late December, including reports of deaths of children and young adults, and that thousands of people have been detained amid the unrest.
Human rights organizations estimate that dozens of protesters and bystanders have been killed since late December, including reports of deaths of children and young adults, and that thousands of people have been detained amid the unrest.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has publicly rejected the narrative of peaceful protest, characterizing demonstrators as “rioters” and signaling a firm security response. Government statements frame the unrest as inspired by foreign influence while insisting on the need to maintain national stability.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has publicly rejected the narrative of peaceful protest, characterizing demonstrators as “rioters” and signaling a firm security response. Government statements frame the unrest as inspired by foreign influence while insisting on the need to maintain national stability.
External Voices and Exiled Figures
External Voices and Exiled Figures
Exiled Iranian figures, most notably Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last shah of Iran (overthrown in 1979), have called for coordinated civil disobedience and demonstrations. Pahlavi’s calls for protest have been widely echoed online despite connectivity restrictions inside Iran, and he has advocated for democratic reform.
Exiled Iranian figures, most notably Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last shah of Iran (overthrown in 1979), have called for coordinated civil disobedience and demonstrations. Pahlavi’s calls for protest have been widely echoed online despite connectivity restrictions inside Iran, and he has advocated for democratic reform.
International responses have included warnings from foreign leaders, including U.S. officials reiterating threats of potential consequences should Iranian security forces escalate violence against peaceful demonstrators. European governments have also condemned excessive force and urged restraint.
International responses have included warnings from foreign leaders, including U.S. officials reiterating threats of potential consequences should Iranian security forces escalate violence against peaceful demonstrators. European governments have also condemned excessive force and urged restraint.
Economic Drivers and Broader Discontent
Economic Drivers and Broader Discontent
Underlying the current unrest is a long-running economic crisis, exacerbated by international sanctions, currency depreciation, and rising inflation — all of which have sharply reduced purchasing power and strained household budgets across the country. Analysts say these issues have deepened public frustration with systemic mismanagement of essential services and declining living conditions.
Underlying the current unrest is a long-running economic crisis, exacerbated by international sanctions, currency depreciation, and rising inflation — all of which have sharply reduced purchasing power and strained household budgets across the country. Analysts say these issues have deepened public frustration with systemic mismanagement of essential services and declining living conditions.
While initially sparked by economic grievances, the protests have increasingly encompassed calls for political change. Demonstrators have voiced opposition not only to immediate economic conditions but also to broader aspects of governance and the political system, including foreign policy priorities and clerical authority.
While initially sparked by economic grievances, the protests have increasingly encompassed calls for political change. Demonstrators have voiced opposition not only to immediate economic conditions but also to broader aspects of governance and the political system, including foreign policy priorities and clerical authority.
Current Situation and Outlook
Current Situation and Outlook
As of early January, protests continue in multiple urban centers despite communication restrictions and heavy security presence. Independent verification of events inside Iran remains difficult due to the internet blackout, but reports suggest that demonstrations persist into the second week of January, with clashes and arrests continuing to be documented.
As of early January, protests continue in multiple urban centers despite communication restrictions and heavy security presence. Independent verification of events inside Iran remains difficult due to the internet blackout, but reports suggest that demonstrations persist into the second week of January, with clashes and arrests continuing to be documented.
Analysts caution that the trajectory of the unrest remains uncertain, noting that sustained demonstrations could pressure the government to respond with further concessions — or lead to an intensified crackdown. Both domestic factors and international diplomatic responses are likely to shape developments in the coming weeks.
Analysts caution that the trajectory of the unrest remains uncertain, noting that sustained demonstrations could pressure the government to respond with further concessions — or lead to an intensified crackdown. Both domestic factors and international diplomatic responses are likely to shape developments in the coming weeks.
Sources and Notes
Sources and Notes
This article synthesizes reporting from multiple independent news organizations, human rights groups, and monitoring agencies, including on-the-ground accounts and statements from Iranian officials. Due to restrictions on connectivity within Iran, some details remain difficult to confirm independently.
This article synthesizes reporting from multiple independent news organizations, human rights groups, and monitoring agencies, including on-the-ground accounts and statements from Iranian officials. Due to restrictions on connectivity within Iran, some details remain difficult to confirm independently.
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