Widespread protests continued across Iran on Monday as demonstrators clashed with security forces in Tehran and other major cities, with police deploying tear gas and batons to disperse crowds amid strikes and growing economic frustration. The unrest marks some of the largest public demonstrations in the Islamic Republic in years, driven by record inflation, currency collapse, and dissatisfaction with the clerical regime.
Protests intensified in the capital Tehran, where crowds confronted riot police near key commercial districts including the Grand Bazaar, Lalehzar Street, and Istanbul Square. Reports indicate that security forces fired tear gas and used batons to break up demonstrations, while protesters retaliated with chants and pushed authorities to retreat in several areas. Videos circulating online showed crowds inside Tehran’s Grand Bazaar urging unity and declaring “we are all together.”
The unrest quickly spread beyond Tehran, reaching cities such as Mashhad, Hamadan, and parts of Tehran province. Protesters in multiple locations chanted slogans including “Death to the dictator,” with some demanding the resignation of Iran’s political leadership amid severe economic hardships. Tehran shopkeepers and business owners joined national strikes, shuttering shops in protest of economic instability.
Analysts link the wave of unrest to deep economic troubles facing Iran, including a sharp plunge of the national currency, the rial, to record lows, and surging inflation that has eroded purchasing power. The economic crisis follows months of mounting pressure from international sanctions, declining oil revenues, and regional tensions, contributing to widespread anger toward the regime’s handling of domestic affairs.
In response to the protests, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered government ministers to engage in dialogue with protesters, attempting to quell mounting discontent. Pezeshkian’s directive represents the first official acknowledgment of the unrest by the Iranian presidency, signaling concerns within the regime about sustained public opposition.
The demonstrations reflect deeper fractures within Iranian society, combining economic frustration with longstanding political grievances. Past protest movements, such as those sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, have periodically challenged the regime, but current unrest appears broader in scale and intensity given the combination of nationwide strikes, cross-city mobilization, and participation from commercial sectors.
Iran’s security forces have maintained aggressive crowd-control tactics, raising concerns about potential escalation. Videos and eyewitness accounts describe aggressive measures including tear gas, stun grenades, and physical confrontations between protesters and state forces. The government has also faced calls for restraint and dialogue from international observers as unrest shows no sign of abating.
The unfolding situation in Iran underscores mounting public dissatisfaction over economic mismanagement, governance failures, and political repression. With protests spreading and strikes continuing, the regime faces mounting pressure at home even as it contends with regional geopolitical tensions and international isolation.
