Widespread protests have erupted in Iran, driven by a crippling economic crisis that has pushed citizens to the brink. Security forces’ heavy-handed response has resulted in at least 27 deaths, including children, as clashes intensify nationwide. From rural outposts to urban centers, the demonstrations reveal a populace pushed beyond endurance.
Footage circulating online shows Abdanan residents, young and old, flooding the streets in a show of defiance on Tuesday evening. Helicopters buzzed overhead as families marched together, their numbers overwhelming local security. This provincial city has been a hotspot for the past week, with repeated large-scale gatherings.
Human rights monitors in Norway tally 27 fatalities from the crackdown, five of them minors. Tehran admits to casualties among its ranks, including a policeman shot dead after mourners clashed with forces. Official reports cite three deaths in the disturbances, painting a picture of mutual violence.
In his first public comment, Ayatollah Khamenei demanded a crackdown on troublemakers. The spark came on December 28 with business shutdowns; now, Tehran’s bustling markets stand empty as merchants join the fray against inflation and policy failures.
Global watchdog Amnesty International decries the lethal force as unlawful, highlighting the regime’s intolerance for opposition. Exiled Reza Pahlavi issued a direct call to action: synchronize chants at 8 PM on January 8-9, indoors or out, to amplify the movement based on participation.
Dubbed the biggest uprising since the 2022-2023 protests over Mahsa Amini’s custody death, this economic revolt threatens to reshape Iran’s political landscape. With anger boiling over, the protests show no signs of abating, challenging the establishment like never before.