What's happened
As of January 6, 2026, Iran faces its largest protests since 2022, sparked by a collapsing rial and soaring inflation. Demonstrations began in Tehran's bazaar and spread to over 88 cities, involving shopkeepers, students, and ethnic minorities. Clashes with security forces have resulted in at least 35 deaths, including protesters, children, and a Basij militia member, with over 1,200 arrests reported.
What's behind the headline?
Economic Collapse Sparks Widespread Unrest
Iran's ongoing protests are a direct consequence of severe economic deterioration, driven by a collapsing rial and inflation exceeding 40%. The initial strike by Tehran's bazaar merchants, a traditionally conservative economic sector, signals deep-rooted dissatisfaction that transcends usual political divides.
Ethnic and Regional Dimensions
The unrest has notably involved Iran's Kurdish and Lur minorities, with deadly clashes reported in western provinces such as Lorestan and Ilam. This ethnic dimension complicates the government's response and risks inflaming long-standing regional tensions.
Government's Dual Approach: Force and Dialogue
Authorities have responded with a mix of heavy-handed security measures—including live ammunition and mass arrests—and conciliatory gestures like promises of tax breaks and dialogue with trade unions. This dual strategy reflects the regime's precarious position amid internal dissent and external pressures.
Geopolitical Implications
The protests occur against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions, including recent Israeli and US strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's outreach to Russia to avoid war underscores fears of escalation. The unrest weakens Iran internally, potentially affecting its regional posture.
Forecast and Consequences
Given the scale and persistence of the protests, Iran's government will likely intensify security crackdowns while attempting limited economic reforms. However, without addressing systemic corruption and sanctions, economic grievances will persist. The unrest could destabilize the regime further, with potential spillover effects in the Middle East.
Impact on the Reader
While geographically distant, the protests highlight the global consequences of economic sanctions and geopolitical conflicts. They underscore the human cost of economic mismanagement and authoritarian responses, offering lessons on the fragility of social order under economic stress.
What the papers say
The New Arab provides comprehensive coverage, noting that "at least 35 people have been killed" and highlighting the protests' spread to "88 cities across most of the country's provinces," emphasizing the scale and severity of the unrest. It also details the government's use of live ammunition and the involvement of ethnic minorities, citing the Human Rights Activist News Agency.
Al Jazeera corroborates these reports, focusing on specific violent incidents in Azna and Lordegan, with videos showing "objects in the street ablaze and gunfire echoing," and quoting Iranian officials acknowledging the protests' economic roots. It also reports on the death of a Basij militia member, reflecting the conflict's intensity.
The Times of Israel and The Independent provide additional context on the government's response, including arrests and the framing of protesters as "rioters," while noting the protests' economic motivations. The Times of Israel highlights Israeli concerns about regional escalation, quoting Prime Minister Netanyahu's diplomatic efforts.
Sky News and SBS emphasize the government's mixed approach, reporting both security crackdowns and promises of dialogue with trade unions. Sky News notes the protests' expansion to universities and the involvement of various social groups, while SBS quotes Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledging "legitimate demands" but warning against chaos.
Reuters confirms the death of a 21-year-old Basij member and the protests' spread from Tehran to western provinces, underscoring the unrest's geographic breadth.
Together, these sources paint a detailed picture of a multifaceted crisis involving economic hardship, ethnic tensions, government repression, and regional geopolitical stakes.
How we got here
The protests erupted in late December 2025 due to Iran's spiraling economic crisis, marked by a record low rial currency value and high inflation. The unrest began with shopkeepers striking in Tehran's Grand Bazaar and quickly spread nationwide, echoing the 2022 demonstrations triggered by Mahsa Amini's death. Western sanctions and regional conflicts have exacerbated economic instability, fueling public anger.
Go deeper
- What triggered the recent protests in Iran?
- How has the Iranian government responded to the unrest?
- What are the regional implications of the protests?
Common question
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Why Are Protests in Iran Turning Violent Now?
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Why Are Protests Happening in Iran Now?
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Why Are Protests in Iran Escalating Now?
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Why Are Protests in Iran Escalating Now?
Iran is currently experiencing its largest wave of protests since 2022, driven by severe economic hardship, currency collapse, and political unrest. The demonstrations have spread across over 88 cities, involving diverse groups like shopkeepers, students, and ethnic minorities. Understanding why these protests are escalating now requires looking at the economic crisis, government responses, and regional tensions. Below, we explore the key questions about Iran's unrest and what it means for the country and the world.
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Why Are Iran's Protests Continuing? Key Factors Explained
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More on these topics
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Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan a
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Masoud Pezeshkian is an Iranian heart surgeon and reformist politician of Azerbaijani and Kurdish descent who is currently President-elect of Iran.
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On 16 September 2022, 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman Mahsa Amini, also known as Jina Amini, died in a hospital in Tehran, Iran, under suspicious circumstances. The Guidance Patrol, the religious morality police of Iran's government, had arrested Amini.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Tehran is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With a population of around 8.7 million in the city and 15 million in the larger metropolitan area of Greater Tehran, Tehran is the most populous city in Iran and Western Asia, and has the third-largest m