DUBAI, Jan 3: Iran is experiencing widespread protests fueled by economic hardship, with at least 10 deaths reported since the demonstrations began.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed the unrest publicly for the first time, distinguishing between peaceful protesters and “rioters,” stating, “Rioters must be put in their place.” He accused foreign powers, including the United States and Israel, of instigating the unrest and blamed “enemies” for exploiting the collapsing rial, Iran’s national currency.
The protests, the largest since 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, have spread to over 100 locations across 22 of Iran’s 31 provinces. Initially sparked by economic grievances, including the rapid devaluation of the rial, the demonstrations have expanded into broader criticism of the theocratic system.
While President Masoud Pezeshkian has attempted dialogue with protesters, hard-line elements in the government, particularly the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and its Basij force, appear to favor a forceful crackdown. Past crackdowns on protests, such as in 2019 and 2022, resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of detentions.
Recent violence underscores the unrest’s intensity: one man was killed in Qom by a grenade explosion, while a member of the Basij paramilitary died in Harsin during a gun and knife attack.
Analysts suggest the protests are largely spontaneous, and though they may continue or grow, Iran’s extensive security apparatus is likely to suppress dissent without threatening the regime’s control.
The unrest occurs amid ongoing economic struggles and geopolitical pressures, including U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and warnings from Washington and Israel over Tehran’s atomic program.
The demonstrations reflect not only immediate economic frustrations but also deep-seated dissatisfaction with political and social policies under Iran’s theocratic leadership, raising concerns over potential escalation. (AP)
