Key Facts
• Protests began December 28 in Tehran against high prices and currency collapse.
• Demonstrations spread to Isfahan, Fars, Lordegan, and other cities.
• December 31–January 1: protesters attempted to enter government building in Fars; arrests made.
• Clashes in Lordegan resulted in deaths on both sides.
• Iranian rial lost nearly half its value against the US dollar in one year.
• December 31: President Pezeshkian cited external pressure from national enemies.
• Nuclear deal collapsed in September 2025; UN sanctions fully reinstated.
• US-Iran nuclear talks remain stalled; economic recovery appears difficult.
• 2022 protests over a woman’s death in custody led to 500+ deaths nationwide.
Summary
Widespread protests have erupted across Iran due to soaring prices and a sharp currency devaluation. Starting in Tehran on December 28, demonstrations quickly expanded to multiple cities including Isfahan and Fars. Security forces have attempted to suppress the unrest, resulting in violent clashes and several fatalities, notably in Lordegan. The economic crisis deepened after the collapse of the nuclear agreement in September 2025, which led to the full reinstatement of UN sanctions and a near 50% drop in the rial’s value against the US dollar. President Pezeshkian acknowledged external pressures and called for national unity, but stalled US-Iran negotiations and ongoing economic difficulties complicate prospects for improvement. The current unrest echoes the 2022 protests triggered by the death of a detained woman, which resulted in over 500 deaths, highlighting persistent social tensions in Iran.
