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Nationwide protests erupt against Iran's clerical rule
Thousands of Iranians have flooded the streets of Tehran and other major cities in recent weeks, demanding an end to the Islamic Republic and, in many cases, the restoration of the monarchy. Demonstrations, fueled by economic despair and political repression, mark one of the most significant challenges to the regime in nearly 50 years.
Economic crisis and political frustration drive unrest
Protesters cite soaring inflation, currency collapse, and systemic corruption as key grievances. A shopkeepers' strike in Tehran's Grand Bazaar on December 28, triggered by the rial's plummeting value, ignited the latest wave of dissent. Universities soon joined, prompting authorities to shutter campuses under the pretext of cold weather-though unrest had already spread to smaller towns, particularly in western Iran.
Independent reporting inside Iran remains severely restricted. The government has imposed near-total internet blackouts, and many fear speaking publicly. However, videos and firsthand accounts shared before the shutdown confirm the scale of the protests, with chants like "Death to the Dictator"-a direct challenge to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei-and "Freedom, Freedom" echoing through city squares.
From despair to defiance: Voices from the streets
A 29-year-old man in Karaj, west of Tehran, told the BBC that public anger has reached unprecedented levels. "People are speaking out against the regime in broad daylight," he said. "I thought the protests would fade, but they've only grown stronger."
"We're living in limbo. I feel like I'm hanging in the air with neither wings to migrate nor hope to pursue my goals here. Life has become unbearable."
Young protester in Tehran
Another woman described scenes of open defiance, including protesters raiding a regime-linked supermarket in Ilam, near the Iraqi border, and discarding its goods. "Even children of regime officials are joining," she said, citing a friend whose sisters-daughters of an intelligence officer-participated without their father's knowledge.
Monarchy chants signal desperation for change
Unlike the 2022 protests sparked by Mahsa Amini's death in custody, this movement has seen a surge in calls for the return of the Pahlavi monarchy. Demonstrators chant "Pahlavi will return," referencing Reza Pahlavi, son of the late Shah deposed in 1979. Pahlavi himself urged Iranians to take to the streets on Thursday.
"Personally, I think he's the only way out," said Sara, 26, from Tehran. Others view the monarchy chants as a symbolic rejection of the status quo rather than a genuine political preference. "I'm not a fan of Reza Pahlavi, but unity matters more now," said Maryam, 27. "This isn't grief like in 2022-it's raw anger."
Regime cracks down amid uncertainty
With internet access heavily restricted and independent media silenced, the full extent of the protests remains unclear. Authorities have responded with force, but the movement's persistence suggests a deepening crisis of legitimacy for the Islamic Republic. Analysts warn the outcome remains unpredictable, with no clear opposition leadership emerging.
As one protester put it: "This homeland won't be a homeland until the mullahs are buried."
