TEHRAN (MNN); Protests against the rising cost of living in Iran have entered their sixth consecutive day following the sharp fall of the Iranian rial to a record low against the US dollar in late December.
The demonstrations, initially triggered by economic hardship, have intensified despite government appeals for unity and promises of reform. President Masoud Pezeshkian has blamed mounting economic pressure on what he described as Iran’s “enemies”, while vowing to tackle corruption and stabilise the economy.
At least seven people have been killed and 44 arrested since shopkeepers in Tehran first shut their businesses on Sunday to protest the worsening economic crisis. What began as economic demonstrations has increasingly taken on a political dimension, with unrest spreading across the country.
Iran, one of the most heavily sanctioned countries in the world, faces severe restrictions on access to global financial markets and frozen foreign assets. The country’s growing dependence on imports has further fuelled inflation.
On Sunday, the rial plunged to 1.42 million against the US dollar, marking a 56 percent decline in just six months. As a result, food prices have surged by an average of 72 percent compared with last year.
Taxi driver Majid Ebrahimi told Al Jazeera that while the government focuses on fuel prices, the cost of everyday goods continues to spiral. He said dairy products had become six times more expensive this year, while some other items had risen more than tenfold.
The scale of the protests has expanded rapidly. What started at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar spread to 17 of Iran’s 31 provinces by New Year’s Eve, drawing students, workers and citizens from diverse backgrounds.
Thousands have taken to the streets, with security forces responding forcefully in some areas. Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that three people were killed in clashes in Lordegan in southwestern Iran, while three others died in Azna and one in Kouhdasht in central Iran.
According to Fars, protesters in Lordegan pelted administrative buildings, including the governor’s office, a mosque, the town hall and banks, prompting police to fire tear gas.
Unlike previous protest waves, the current government has so far refrained from a widespread crackdown and has signalled willingness to hear what it calls the “legitimate demands” of protesters.
In response to the unrest, the government appointed Abdolnaser Hemmati as the new central bank governor, tasking him with restoring economic stability. The Ministry of Higher Education also removed campus security managers from the University of Tehran and two other major institutions, citing misconduct and failure to manage recent student protests.
Addressing a ceremony in Tehran marking the fifth anniversary of the killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, President Pezeshkian reiterated his commitment to economic reforms and combating corruption. He said the government was determined to eliminate rent-seeking, smuggling and bribery, stressing that protecting people’s livelihoods was a red line.
Iran has witnessed repeated waves of unrest in recent years. In 2022, nationwide protests erupted after the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for allegedly violating the hijab dress code. Those protests were met with a harsh security response, resulting in hundreds of deaths, according to human rights groups.
A United Nations investigation in 2024 described Iran’s response to the 2022 protests as crimes against humanity, a claim rejected by Tehran.
International reactions to the current unrest have also drawn attention. US President Donald Trump warned that Washington would respond if Iran violently suppressed protesters. Israel’s foreign ministry posted messages in Persian supporting protesters, while reports suggested discussions between US and Israeli leaders over potential future strikes on Iran.
In response, President Pezeshkian warned that any aggression against Iran would be met with a strong and deterrent response.
