Iran is currently grappling with widespread anti-government protests, fueled by a severe economic crisis and record-high inflation. The unrest has spread across the nation, resulting in at least 8 protester deaths and dozens of arrests. A recent statement by US President Donald Trump has Importantly boosted the. Morale of the protesting Gen Z, further intensifying the demonstrations against the regime.
Deepening Economic Crisis and Soaring Inflation
The situation in Iran continues to deteriorate as public anger boils over due to the deepening economic crisis and rampant inflation. The protests, which began on December 28th with a strike by shopkeepers in Tehran, have now spread to other parts of the country. The Iranian currency, the Rial, has plummeted to a record low, trading at 14. 2 lakh Rial against one US dollar. Official figures indicate that inflation reached 42, while 2 percent in December, an increase of 1. 8 percent from November. Food prices have surged by 72 percent compared to the previous year, while health and medicine-related costs have risen by 50 percent, while these cumulative factors have made daily life increasingly challenging for ordinary citizens, compelling them to take to the streets in protest.
Nationwide Spread of Unrest
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), protests are ongoing across Iran, with many shops remaining closed. Large crowds have gathered on the streets, chanting slogans and engaging in acts of arson. What began as market closures in Tehran has now escalated into unrest affecting 113 locations across 46 cities in 22 provinces. Cities such as Mashhad, Zahedan, Qazvin, Hamadan, and various districts of Tehran, including Naziaabad, Sattarkhan, Narmak, and Tehranpars, continue to witness demonstrations. These areas are experiencing heavy security presence, violence from security forces, and further arrests as authorities attempt to quell the dissent.
Trump's Intervention and Gen Z's Response
Amidst the ongoing protests in Iran, a statement from US President Donald Trump has emerged, Notably energizing the Gen Z protesters. On Friday, Trump declared that if Iran were to shoot peaceful protesters and kill them violently, the United States would step in to help. He posted on Truth Social, stating, "We're fully prepared and ready for action. " While several Iranian leaders have spoken out against Trump's statement, it has, conversely, heightened the enthusiasm among Gen Z protesters, who see it as a potential source of international support for their cause.
Activist's Scathing Criticism
Iranian activist Masih Alinejad launched a sharp attack on Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian following Trump's warning. Pezeshkian had stated that he would oppose any American aggression against Iran. Alinejad took to social media platform X on Friday, writing, "Khamenei and his army pull the trigger and you so-called reformists whitewash him, while you've no problem with people's blood being shed, your only problem is that a foreign country stops this crime. " She further added, "Now do you understand why people hate you? Because you've officially announced that no one has the right to stop the killing of Iranian people, while this means that you yourself are a murderer and an aggressor, Mr. Pezeshkian! " This exchange highlights the deep political divisions and the intensity of the anti-government sentiment within Iran.
Escalating Violence in Protests
Protests continued into the night on Friday in several areas of Tehran, including Naziaabad in southern Tehran, Sattarkhan in the western part of the capital, and the eastern districts of Narmak and Tehranpars. In one area of Tehran, protesters reportedly pulled down the flag of the Islamic Republic. The most severe violence was observed in Azna, a city in Iran's Lorestan province, approximately 300 kilometers (185 miles) southwest of Tehran, while online videos from Azna showed burning objects on the streets and sounds of gunfire, while people chanted slogans like "Shame! Shame! " indicating the ferocity of the clashes.
Police Response and Arrests
According to the Fars news agency, in Lordegan, some protesters began throwing stones at administrative buildings, including the provincial governor's office, a mosque, the Martyrs Foundation, the town hall, and banks. The report stated that police responded by using tear gas to disperse the crowds, while the report further indicated that several buildings sustained significant damage, and police arrested numerous individuals identified as the main instigators. These actions by security forces are aimed at suppressing the protests, but they risk further inflaming public anger and escalating the confrontation.
