In a significant escalation of public dissent, major protests have erupted all over Iran, with demonstrators boldly shouting “death to the dictator” in response to the ongoing economic turmoil.
To break up the crowds, law enforcement resorted to tear gas, especially noticeable in Tehran’s bustling Grand Bazaar, where many businesses abruptly closed their doors.
Students Unite in Protest
University students have taken the initiative, rallying their peers to join the streets as chants ring out from rooftops across numerous cities. The Iranian rial has plummeted to unprecedented lows, compounding the frustration felt by citizens, especially given the continued threats from Israel and the US.
Residents from a town close to the capital reported seeing heavily armed police on motorcycles patrolling the area long after dark.
This Monday, Tehran saw security forces using tear gas to disperse the crowds during protests, while in Malard, located 28 miles east of the capital, riot control units patrolled the neighborhood on motorcycles.
In response, many citizens climbed onto their rooftops, voicing their grievances in solidarity against the Islamic Republic and calling out the name of Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader.
Notably, Israel has publicly expressed support for these protests, hoping for an overthrow of Mr. Khamenei, welcoming the uprising with enthusiasm.
In a related incident, former President Donald Trump issued threats of military action on Monday morning if Iran successfully revives its nuclear or missile programs, stating he would “knock the hell out of them.”
Student Activism and Government Response
At several universities, students vocally encouraged classmates to participate in the protests, which first sparked in the dorms of Tehran University. Heavy police presence surrounded the campus on Monday night, effectively blocking entrances.
Inside, students rallied around slogans like “Woman, life, freedom” and “Students die but do not accept humiliation” as dozens expressed their determination to persist despite the looming threat of arrests.
One student recounted: “They’ve locked us in, and I can see special forces on motorcycles circling around us. We won’t back down, even if things escalate further.”
Notably, Iranian universities have a long-standing tradition of political engagement, often serving as catalysts for societal change.
Another university student from Malard described street protests: “Roads are blocked everywhere, and chants are coming from all around. Moving across the city has become just about impossible due to police presence with cages in their cars. People are furious and drained as prices spike daily.”
The unrest ignited shortly after mobile phone and electronics vendors in Tehran chose to close their shops in protest of the rial’s alarming drop, which recently reached 1.42 million to the dollar.
Rioting police confronted hundreds attempting to demonstrate near the Grand Bazaar of Tehran during Monday afternoon.
As shopkeepers temporarily shut their stores as a collective show of solidarity, security measures were heavily defined throughout crucial locations across the city.
Although the rial experienced a slight recovery, stabilizing at 1.38 million to the dollar after the central bank’s governor stepped down, it remains approximately 40% diminished compared to the values seen in June.
With the currency in freefall, inflation rates have hit a staggering 42.2%, exacerbating the economic plight, particularly as food prices soared 72% and essential medical goods increased by 50% from the year prior.
In parliament, President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed, “I feel no motivation to continue in government if I cannot resolve the people’s problems. We’re caught in a cycle where citizens mark low wages and complain about taxes, but they demand pay increases. Where should I find the money to make this possible?”
Addressing protests head-on Monday evening, Pezeshkian committed to listening to their demands effectively and announced plans to initiate reforms in the banking and monetary sectors to enliven the populace’s purchasing capacity.
Earlier in 2015, the rial traded at 32,000 to the dollar following the signing of a nuclear agreement with world powers. However, when the US withdrew in 2018, those commitments dissolved.
Collapse of the Deal
The agreement utterly collapsed by October, triggering the reinstatement of prior UN sanctions.
Nationwide uprisings last sparked in 2022 and 2023 following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody.
These protests left hundreds dead, over 20,000 incarcerated, and several executions were carried out due to incidents during those demonstrations.
Although state media took notice of Monday’s protests, they framed concerns as purely economic, ignoring political undertones amongst the protestors.
A state television resident claimed, “This situation must end—this dollar price is absurd.”
Another shopkeeper added, “If I sell something today, I can’t replace it at the same cost tomorrow. The government has to take responsibility for this mess.”
Reporting from IRNA, it noted that retailers felt pressured by the instability that’s undermined the currency.
Moreover, Iran recently raised fuel prices this month, which has led lawmakers to voice concerns about a possible repeat of the deadly 2019 fuel protests.
Prominent dissident and incarcerated politician Mostafa Tajzadeh weighed in, asserting: “It’s imperative for all those yearning for a prosperous and free Iran to call for the separation of church and state, reinstating power back to the citizens and traditional scholars. Recalling a constituent assembly could help amend the constitution appropriately to reflect the people’s will.”
