Protests over Iran’s soaring cost of living spread to several universities on Tuesday, with students joining shopkeepers and bazaar merchants. Semi-official media reported growing unrest as the government offered dialogue with demonstrators amid mounting economic pressure.
Iran’s rial has lost nearly half its value against the dollar in 2025, with inflation hitting 42.5% in December. Videos from Tehran showed protesters chanting slogans referencing the pre-1979 monarchy, underscoring deep public anger.
00:00Iran's streets are once again gripped by unrest as security forces fire tear gas to disperse
00:21protests erupting across multiple cities. Footage from Tehran, Kermansha, and other urban centers
00:28shows riot police confronting crowds, making arrests, and struggling to contain growing anger.
00:34What began as an economic protest is rapidly evolving into one of the most serious challenges
00:40to the Islamic Republic in years. Dozens have been detained, including journalists covering
00:47the demonstrations. Among them, Mehdi Biuk, political editor of Iran's Itamad newspaper,
00:52was arrested while reporting from the streets. His wife said she had no contact with him for
00:58more than 24 hours before confirming his release Tuesday. Videos confirm at least 11 arrests
01:05on Sabunian Street in Tehran. In western Iran, the crackdown intensified. Video from Kermansha
01:13shows tear gas launched into tightly packed crowns as demonstrators shouted, shame, shame. In parts
01:20of Tehran, including Jamhuri Street, protesters briefly forced riot police to retreat, a rare
01:26moment of defiance caught on camera. The unrest was triggered by Iran's collapsing economy but has
01:33grown into a broader political outcry. Chants condemning Tehran's foreign spending echoed through the streets,
01:40including slogans rejecting support for Gaza and Lebanon in favor of domestic needs. Disagint journalist
01:47Masih Alinejad says the protests reflect a deep legitimacy crisis for the Islamic Republic.
01:54Iran's economic picture is grim. The rial plunged to a record $1.4 million per U.S. dollar Tuesday,
02:02after starting the year at just over 717,000. Official figures show inflation has not dropped below 36% since March, placing basic goods beyond the reach of many families.
02:16Economic inequality, corruption and mismanagement, even acknowledged by state media, have fueled public fury.
02:24Under pressure, the government is signaling a softer tone. President Massoud Pazeshkian said he instructed the Interior Minister to listen to protesters' legitimate demands.
02:35Government spokeswoman Fatima Mohajirani announced a dialogue mechanism would be created, including talks with protest leaders.
02:43Iran's crisis has been years in the making. U.S. sanctions were reimposed in 2018 after Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal, and United Nations sanctions returned in September.
02:56Reuters reports Iranian officials held emergency meetings to prevent economic collapse and manage public anger, even as protests echo those seen in 2022 over bread prices.
03:08Iran remains under intense international pressure. Trump has warned of backing further Israeli strikes if Tehran resumes work on ballistic missiles or nuclear weapons.
03:20The U.S. and Israel carried out nearly two weeks of airstrikes in June, targeting Iran's military and nuclear sites, claims Kehran demise, insisting its nuclear program is peaceful.
03:32As unrest grows at home and pressure mounts abroad, Iran's leadership faces a volatile and uncertain path ahead.
03:41Iran's leadership faces a volatile and uncertain path ahead.
03:47Iran's leadership faces a volatile and uncertain path ahead.
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