An outburst of fury throughout Iran has entered its second week, as the death toll mounts and protesters flood streets over an immense economic crisis. What began as a strike by shopkeepers in the capital, Tehran, home to its famous bazaars, has now set off protests in more than 170 cities and towns throughout Iran. Human rights groups say at least 16 to 18 people have been killed and nearly 600 others arrested since the trouble began on Dec. 28.
Why People Are Protesting
The principal reason for the anger is the collapse of Iran’s currency, the rial. The rial fell to a record low in the past few days alone. Now, it costs some 1.4 million rials to purchase a single U.S. dollar. That would mean the money people have in their pockets becomes almost worthless.
With the currency so weak, everything from bread to electronics has shot up in price. Official government data puts the increase in living costs at 42 per cent in December, but some analysts believe that the real figure is far higher. Basic foods are increasingly hard to come by for many, and many small shop owners have closed up because they can no longer afford to fill their shelves.
A Divided Government Response
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, addressed the protests for the first time on Saturday. He said it was “fair” that people worry about their money, “but let’s not be fools to ourselves because the minute changes, believe me, any person causing trouble, breaking things will get an immediate response and we’ll put them in their place.” This has led many to fear that the police will exercise even more force and the military might step in to squash the protests.
Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, is taking a different approach. He has acknowledged the public’s fury and promised to listen to their “legitimate” demands. He also named a new central bank chief to try to repair the currency. But that doesn’t convince many protesters, who are still shouting slogans such as “Death to the dictator.”
World Leaders Weigh In
The situation has also become a cause for global concern. Donald Trump had a scathing message for Iran on social media Friday. During a heated debate on the resolution on Thursday, Representative Mike McCaul of Texas, the top Republican on the Foreign Affairs Committee, said that if violent protests led to more deaths in Iran, he hoped we would not have a debate about why
American soldiers did nothing.” “Let’s hope they don’t mow down young people,” Mr McCaul continued. If they do “we need to have their back,” he added, referring to peaceful demonstrators who might be targeted by the Iranian government. Trump added that the U.S. military stands “locked and loaded” to respond.
Iranian officials responded sharply, calling Trump’s words “dangerous.” They cautioned that U.S. interference would constitute a “red line” and might spark a larger conflict in the Middle East. This exchange of fiery rhetoric follows a very tense year during which, in June, the U.S. and Israel supposedly bombed Iranian nuclear facilities.
What Happens Next?
The major cities such as Tehran and Shiraz continue to be very tense. Some are staying home out of fear, but others say they have nothing left to lose. The United Nations is paying close attention to the situation, and numerous countries are urging Iran to halt violence against its own people. And so far, the “Winter Uprising” of 2026 shows no sign of easing.
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