TEHRAN – Iran is witnessing its largest anti-government protests in years, as demonstrators take to the streets to voice frustration over soaring living costs, inflation, and long-standing grievances with the clerical system. The unrest, which began in late December, has spread across major cities, including Tehran, Mashhad, Tabriz, and Karaj, prompting strong warnings from the country’s military and security forces.
In a statement on Saturday, the Iranian army pledged to protect strategic infrastructure and public property while urging citizens to counter what it described as “the enemy’s plots,” attributing unrest to Israel and other “hostile terrorist groups.” The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) echoed this stance, calling the safeguarding of the 1979 revolution and national security a “red line.”
Authorities have arrested at least 100 people labeled as “armed rioters,” and Iranian state media reported fatalities among security personnel in Shiraz, Qom, and Hamedan. Attorney General Mohammad Movahedi Azad warned that participants in protests would face charges as “enemies of God,” carrying the death penalty. Internet access remains heavily restricted, limiting communication and coverage of the unrest.
Internationally, the United States expressed support for Iranian demonstrators. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued warnings to Iranian leaders and reaffirmed backing for the protests. Tehran, however, accused the US and Israel of attempting to inflame the situation.
Observers note that government measures, including new subsidies and tightened security, are unlikely to alleviate public frustration, with inflation officially at 42 percent and unofficial estimates closer to 60 percent. Analysts warn that the protests, some calling for the end of the clerical system, may continue to escalate unless economic and political pressures are addressed.
The ongoing demonstrations underscore the growing tension in Iran, as citizens challenge both economic hardship and political authority, while the government moves to maintain control through force and strategic messaging.
