Massive anti-government protests are taking place in Iran. What is known

In late December, protests began in Iran in connection with a sharp drop in the exchange rate of the national currency, the Iranian rial. Subsequently, the protests escalated into mass anti-government demonstrations and clashes with the police. Read more about the chronology of the protest movement in the country in the Izvestia article.

Real protest: Iranians demand from the authorities to stabilize the national currency

The situation in the country is far from the "point of no return," but experts urge Tehran not to relax.

Unrest and mass demonstrations in Iran began on December 28, 2025, amid citizens' discontent with the aggravated economic crisis.

Reports of anti-government protests in Iran were received on January 1. The Fars news agency reported that three people were killed and 17 others injured as a result of protests that escalated into clashes with police in the city of Azna in Lorestan province in the west of the country. In the course of their criminal actions, the participants of the pogrom threw stones at police officers, set fire to their official cars and got into fights with them.

On the same day, protesters burned the Koran and other religious books in the city of Hamadan, and 20 rioters attempted to attack a mosque.

Against the background of the escalation of the situation in the country, US President Donald Trump declared his readiness to help the protesters in Iran. He added that the United States is focused and ready for action.

Later, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Ali Larijani, pointed out that US interference in Iran's internal processes could lead to the destabilization of the entire Middle East and cause serious damage to American interests in the region. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Chairman of the Islamic Advisory Council of Iran, said that if the United States shows aggression, Iran will strike back at American bases in the Middle East.

The Russian Embassy in Iran has appealed to Russian citizens to remain vigilant and observe security measures amid protests in the country. In addition, the ministry recommended that Russians not succumb to possible provocations, as well as refrain from taking photos and videos until the situation stabilizes.

IRNA news agency also reported that Iran has sent an appeal to the United Nations (UN) and the UN Security Council (UNSC), in which it condemned Trump's statements about the protests and warned of its readiness to defend itself in the event of an American strike. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi also noted that Trump's message about Washington's readiness to support the protesters in Iran is reckless and dangerous.

On January 3, representatives of the law enforcement agencies of the Shushtar province of Khuzestan of Iran detained participants in mass protests and seized several pieces of both cold steel and firearms from them.

Internal protest: Iran's opponents are looking for a reason to interfere in its affairs

How serious is the scale of the popular unrest and what is the role of the United States and Israel in this?

The British newspaper The Times, citing an intelligence report, reported on January 5 that Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei had developed an evacuation plan from Tehran in case the authorities failed to quell the protests. Israeli intelligence official Beni Sabti believes that the Ayatollah may flee to Moscow because "there is no other place for him." According to the newspaper, the escape route is modeled on the evacuation of Khamenei's ally, former Syrian leader Bashar al—Assad, who flew to the Russian capital in 2024.

On the same day, Kan News broadcaster reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to send a message to Iran that the Israeli side was not going to attack them.

On January 6, Fox News TV channel, citing representatives of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, reported that Iranian protesters had actually captured the cities of Abdanan and Malekshahi in Ilam province, continuing mass demonstrations amid economic and political discontent. The protests were accompanied by increased security measures, including tear gas and air guns.

According to the organization of Iranian human rights defenders HRANA, as of January 6, 36 people were killed in Iran and more than 2,000 people were arrested as a result of mass protests in 92 cities of the country. Along with the continuation of some workers' actions, street demonstrations and strikes by merchants and students appeared.

On January 7, the Iranian Tasnim news agency denied reports that protesters had seized the cities of Abdanan and Malekshahi in Ilam province.

US Vice President Jay Dee Vance made a statement that the United States supports Iranian citizens who come out to peaceful protests. According to him, Washington stands in solidarity with those who express their position in a non-violent way. Trump also did not rule out a possible collapse in Iran due to the protests, and noted that the United States could strike Iran if the authorities of the Arab country kill protesters.

On the same day, NetBlocks reported an Internet blackout in Iran amid protests. At the same time, Iranian officials have not announced any restrictions on Internet access.

On January 9, Iran's state television called the participants of large-scale rallies across the country terrorists. Footage from social networks shows burning cars, crowds of people chanting: "Pahlavi will return!" (we are talking about the heir to the last Shahanshah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi). As well as clashes between demonstrators and security forces and even beating a man in a military uniform. The security forces called on citizens to "report armed individuals to law enforcement agencies."

Amid the protests, Khamenei said that the Iranian youth and the entire nation must maintain unity, which will allow them to defeat any enemy. He noted that the protesters were acting in accordance with Trump's wishes.

Also, on January 9, Iran's Supreme National Security Council accused the United States and Israel of organizing unrest in the country.

On the same day, the mayor of the Iranian capital, Alireza Zakani, announced that participants in mass protests in Iran had rioted in 26 banks and burned down 25 mosques in Tehran. Zakani added that the protesters set fire to 42 buses, 10 government offices and 24 residential apartments. According to the mayor, they also attacked law enforcement posts. Thus, 48 fire trucks were damaged as a result of arson attacks.

The 1979 revolution in Iran resulted in the fall of the Pahlavi dynasty and the subsequent establishment of the Islamic Republic.

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