Archive · 9 Jan 2026
Iran Protests Intensify Amid Economic Crisis
In Iran, people are very upset because the economy is really bad.
Prices are very high, and the money is not worth much.
This has led to big protests all over the country.
The protests started on December 28, 2025, and have spread to many places.
Some people have been hurt or killed during these protests.
The government has cut off the internet and phones to stop people from talking about the protests.
The U.S. President, Donald Trump, has warned Iran not to hurt the protesters.
An exiled prince, Reza Pahlavi, has asked people to protest and has gotten a lot of support.
People are chanting against the government and even burning pictures of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The protests are about more than just the economy; people want freedom and a change in the government.
The government says that foreign countries are causing the protests, but the protesters say they are fighting for their rights and a better future.
Protests in Iran, which began on December 28, 2025, have spread to 25 provinces due to economic issues and political repression, with at least 45 people killed, including 8 minors and 2 police officers.
The U.S. has expressed support for the protesters and warned Iran against violent crackdowns, while Iran accuses foreign powers of stoking the protests.
The protests are driven by soaring inflation, currency devaluation, and economic mismanagement, exacerbated by Western sanctions and calls for regime change by exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.
The current unrest is significant but has not reached the scale of the 2022-2023 protests following Mahsa Amini's death, with the government imposing a nationwide internet blackout and warning of harsh responses.
Protesters have engaged in symbolic acts of defiance, such as burning images of Supreme Leader Khamenei and chanting slogans against the government and in support of the former monarchy.
- Who
- Iranian protesters, police officers, international observers, activists, and exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi
- What
- Mass anti-government protests, economic unrest, and symbolic acts of defiance against the Iranian regime
- When
- Protests began on December 28, 2025; incidents on January 8-9, 2026
- Where
- Iran (Tehran, Malard, Iranshahr, and other provinces)
- Why
- Soaring prices, economic stagnation, currency devaluation, political repression, Western sanctions, and calls for regime change by exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi
Protesters and Supporters
Iranian Government and Authorities
Cause of Protests
Protesters and Supporters
Protesters blame the government for economic mismanagement, soaring inflation, and political repression, demanding regime change and freedom.
Iranian Government and Authorities
Iranian authorities accuse foreign powers, particularly the U.S. and Israel, of stoking the protests and causing unrest.
Response to Protests
Protesters and Supporters
Protesters and international observers condemn the government's violent crackdown and call for support and intervention to protect protesters' rights.
Iranian Government and Authorities
The Iranian government has imposed an internet blackout and warned of harsh responses, accusing protesters of being 'terrorist agents' and causing violence.
Role of Reza Pahlavi
Protesters and Supporters
Supporters see Pahlavi as a symbol of hope for a secular, democratic Iran and believe his calls have galvanized the protests.
Iranian Government and Authorities
The Iranian government views Pahlavi's involvement as a threat to the Islamic Republic and a call for a return to the monarchy, which it strongly opposes.
- Date
- January 8-9, 2026
- Location
- Iran (Tehran, Malard, Iranshahr, and other provinces)
- Victims
- At least 45 people killed, including 2 police officers (Shahin Dehghan, Mahmoud Haqiqat) and 8 minors
- Cause of Death
- Stabbing, drive-by shooting, clashes with security forces, and stampedes
- Protest Duration
- 12 days (as of January 9, 2026)
- Provinces Affected
- 25 out of 31
- Currency Exchange Rate
- 1 USD = 1.4 million rials, 1 EUR = 1.7 million rials
- Arrests
- More than 2,270
- Internet Shutdown
- Nationwide internet and international telephone calls cut off
- Protest Symbols
- Burning images of Supreme Leader Khamenei, chanting anti-government slogans, and expressing support for the former monarchy
Sources
Iran: On duty police officers get shot, stabbed to death in separate incidents amid cost-of-living protests
Iran NOTAM Map: Tehran Airspace Reportedly Shut as Protests Explode Across Country
Treasury’s Bessent says Iran facing precarious moment, economy in trouble
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'We Will Hit Them Very Hard': Trump Threatens Iran If Protesters Are Killed
Iran Under Internet Blackout After Exiled Prince's Anti-Khamenei Protest Call; Dozens Feared Killed
Anti-Khamenei Protests Intensify In Iran, Exiled Prince Gives Rallying Cry
Religious Nazi who kills his people: US senator on Khamenei
Iran Unrest: Mass Anti-Government Protests Sweep Tehran & Major Iranian Cities As Uproar Intensifies On Day 12; VIDEOS
Massive protests in Iran: 'We don't want this regime'
Tehran on Edge as Protests Erupt, Internet Blacked Out — Why Iran's Exiled Prince Issued a Rallying Cry | EXPLAINED
Iran unrest: Anti-govt street protests erupt in Tehran, some marchers shout 'Pahlavi will return'
Protests intensify in Iran after exiled prince's call, internet shut
Iran Protest Day 12 Live Updates: Unrest continues in Tehran, major cities; Internet access blocked
Iran protests enter day 12 amid economic crisis; activist Masih Alinejad urges global backing
Who Is Iran's Exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi, Whose Call For Protest Against Khamenei Regime Intensified Widespread Unrest
Iran Goes Dark: Why The Government Cut Internet Access Amid Widespread Protests
Iran Protests: Crowds Set Fire To State Broadcasting Building, Take Over Port City Streets
'Religious Nazi Who Kills His Own People': US Senator On Iran's Khamenei; Warns Of Lethal Strikes
'We're going to hit them very hard': Trump warns Iran of severe consequences if protestors are attacked
Enthusiasm to overturn regime incredible: Trump on Iran
"Not Afraid, I Have Been Dead For 47 Years": Iran Woman's "Bloody" Protest
Nationwide internet blackout in Iran as protests over economic crisis persist
Iran Protests Sweep Nation Despite Internet Shutdown As State TV Warns Of Casualties
Iran Protests Live Updates: Iran Cuts Internet As Crowds Join Crown Prince-Led Protests
Iran’s digital blackout crosses 12-hour mark, internet flatlines at 1% as protests continue to rage
Iran protests sweep nation despite internet shutdown as state TV warns of 'casualties'
Why Images Of Iranian Women Lighting Cigarettes With Khamenei's Photo Are Going Viral
'They'll have to pay in hell': Trump issues another threat to Iran as anti-govt protests escalate
Who Is Reza Pahlavi? The Exiled Prince at the Centre of Iran’s Latest Protests
Who is Reza Pahlavi? As Iran protests intensify, exiled crown prince pushes for larger crowd against Ayatollah Khamenei
Turkish Airlines cancels flights to Tehran as protests in Iran enter 12th day
‘Some rioters want to please Trump': Iran's Khamenei hits back at protesters with a dig at US
‘Iran is rising’: Elderly woman’s protest video goes viral, says ‘not afraid… have been dead for 47 years’
Bloody Lips, Burning Khamenei's Photos With Cigarettes: Why Iran Women Are Taking To Streets In Unique Ways
‘Iran will not back down, Trump should focus on running US’: Supreme Leader Khamenei issues warning amid anti-govt protests
'No Threat', 'Situation Under Control': Iran Consulate in Hyderabad Assures Safety of Indians in Protest-Hit Country
Iran under siege: How internal unrest and external pressure have pushed Khamenei regime to the brink
Iran Protests Force Major Flight Disruptions, Turkish Airlines Halts Service
Iran cuts internet as Supreme Leader warns protesters
