Iran is engulfed in its most significant wave of civil unrest in years, with nationwide protests that began in December 2025 escalating into a severe political crisis. The demonstrations, initially triggered by soaring inflation and the catastrophic collapse of the rial, have rapidly evolved to encompass broader demands for fundamental political change.
A Deadly Crackdown and Information Blackout
The regime's response to the unrest has been brutally forceful. According to estimates from activists and journalists working under extreme duress, at least 2,500 people have been killed by Iranian security forces since the protests began. The government has imposed severe communications blackouts, most notably a nationwide internet shutdown starting on 8 January 2026, in an attempt to stifle the flow of information and quell dissent.
Despite the crackdown, imagery and reports have emerged showing the scale of the protests and the damage incurred. Photographs from Tehran reveal scenes of defiance, with protesters rallying around bonfires on streets like those on 8 and 9 January. Significant material damage is also evident, such as the heavily damaged tax affairs building pictured on 10 January, a symbol of the growing economic and political turmoil.
Protests Spread from Bazaars to the World
The unrest originated in Tehran's Grand Bazaar in late December, a traditional centre of commerce and political sentiment, before spreading to universities and cities across Iran. The chants quickly shifted from economic grievances to overtly political and anti-government slogans.
Simultaneously, a powerful wave of international solidarity has emerged. Iranian diplomatic missions overseas have become focal points for demonstrations. In London, protesters gathered outside the Iranian embassy in Whitehall on 12 January, burning pictures of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and waving Iran's pre-1979 'Lion and Sun' flag. Similar scenes unfolded in Berlin, Rome, Milan, and Toronto, where crowds adopted slogans like "Make Iran Great Again" and displayed images of Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last Shah.
Government Narrative and Counter-Demonstrations
The Iranian government has sought to frame the unrest as the product of foreign interference. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of Parliament, used a pro-government rally in Tehran on 12 January to accuse Western powers of instigating the crisis. State-organised counter-demonstrations have also been held, such as one at Enghelab Square, where crowds gathered under banners proclaiming "Iran is our Homeland".
The international political response is intensifying. Former US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning, stating the US will 'take very strong action' if Iran begins executing arrested protesters. As the regime battles to maintain control and protesters vow to continue, the crisis marks a pivotal and bloody chapter in Iran's modern history, with the human cost mounting daily.
