Protests and strikes in Iran over soaring inflation and the devaluation of the national currency have escalated from the capital, Tehran, to multiple cities, marking a third consecutive day of unrest. The wave of protests initially began on Sunday when shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar organized a strike following the Iranian rial's plunge to a record low against the US dollar in the open market.
Since the commencement of these protests, verified videos shared by BBC Persian have depicted demonstrations in various cities, including Karaj, Hamedan, Qeshm, Malard, Isfahan, Kermanshah, Shiraz, and Yazd. The police have been observed deploying tear gas in efforts to disperse the crowds.
The Iranian government has acknowledged the protests, asserting its willingness to listen to the concerns of the demonstrators, even in the face of harsh criticism. President Masoud Pezeshkian took to social media platform X on Monday, stating that he had instructed the interior minister to engage in discussions with what he termed representatives of the protesters. This initiative aims to address the issues raised and to act responsibly in the face of public outcry.
In a significant political move, President Pezeshkian accepted the resignation of the central bank governor, Mohammadreza Farzin, and appointed former economy and finance minister, Abdolnasser Hemmati, as his successor.
The protests have seen active participation from university students, who have been vocal in their dissent, chanting anti-government slogans such as "Death to the dictator," a direct reference to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who wields ultimate authority in the country. Some demonstrators also expressed support for Reza Pahlavi, the son of the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was deposed during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Protesters were heard chanting "Long live the Shah."
In response, Reza Pahlavi, who currently resides in exile in the United States, expressed solidarity with the protesters on X, declaring, "I am with you. Victory is ours because our cause is just and because we are united." He further emphasized that as long as the current regime remains in power, the country's economic conditions will continue to worsen.
The US State Department's Persian-language account on X also voiced support for the ongoing protests, commending the bravery of protesters and standing in solidarity with those advocating for dignity and a brighter future after enduring years of ineffective policies and economic mismanagement.
Iran has reportedly been a significant topic of discussion during a recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida. At a joint news conference following the meeting, Trump refrained from explicitly endorsing regime change in Iran but noted the country's multitude of problems, including "tremendous inflation" and an ailing economy, suggesting that the Iranian populace is dissatisfied.
Furthermore, President Trump indicated he might support renewed Israeli airstrikes on Iran should the country pursue the reconstruction of its ballistic missile or nuclear programs, stating, "If they will continue with missiles, yes. The nuclear, fast, ok?" He also referenced previous airstrikes conducted by the US on Iranian uranium enrichment sites during a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran in June.
In a firm response to the unrest, President Pezeshkian declared on Tuesday that Iran would deliver a severe and regret-inducing response to any oppressive acts of aggression. Meanwhile, Ayatollah Khamenei has consistently claimed that the Israeli government aims to incite mass protests to destabilize the Iranian regime. In September, he stated, "They wanted to create sedition on the streets... But people were absolutely not influenced by what the enemy wanted."