In the wake of a deep economic crisis, Iran has been caught up in a spiral of ruthless crackdowns spearheaded by the nation’s security apparatus. The move comes amidst accusations of foreign involvement, labelling the anti-government protests as an orchestrated effort to spark unrest within the borders of the country. Consequently, the streets of Iran have shaken with unprecedented state violence designed to silence opposing voices, claiming the lives of thousands in the process.
Although there have been several instances of economic crises in Iran following the Iranian Revolution in 1979, the latest crisis marks a tipping point, resulting from many factors including reimposed sanctions by the U.S., high volatility in the market, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) rooting itself deeply within the institutions fueling the economy—prompting a major severance from Iran’s mercantile sphere, the Bazaaris.
On December 28, 2025, the Grand Bazaar of Tehran faded into silence, with shopkeepers going on strike in an act of protest against deteriorating economic indicators and the factors that led to them. Albeit limited initially to the vicinity of the Grand Bazaar, the strike gained momentum rapidly, evolving into nationwide strikes that eventually led to protests defying the authority of the Iranian government—a crisis in which the collapse of Iran’s rial played a significant role.
“If If I die and my death leads to positive change, I’m okay with that.”
– Sourena Golgoun’s last message, ITV.
With protests erupting nationwide, the Iranian government has answered demands with lethal force. Relying on its domestic security apparatus, the Basij, to suppress dissent, the state also enforced a total internet blackout, effectively severing the country’s lifeline from the outside world.
As protests intensified in both scope and magnitude, they became the focus of several human rights groups, raising concerns about rights violations as the government’s response to the protestors grew harsher. Among monitoring organizations, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has confirmed 7,015 deaths since the protests began, with an additional 11,744 cases yet to be verified. Meanwhile, The Times reported that more than 16,500 people have lost their lives, in addition to 330,000 wounded. Although the true death toll remains unverified, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in an interview that only 3,117 people have died during the protests, directly disputing the claims of on-the-ground sources and human rights groups.
The treatment of protestors held in custody is also a point of concern, with a strict lid imposed on the nation’s detention centers and prisons, leaving the conditions in which detainees are being held mostly unknown. However, according to Iran International, reports allege that protestors in custody have been injected with ‘unspecified’ substances, a practice linked to several suspicious deaths. While some detainees have been released or, like Erfan Soltani, released on bail, many others remain imprisoned, awaiting a fair trial.
In spite of recent human rights violations and systematic oppression at home, the protests continue to resonate abroad, with many Iranians and supporters taking to the streets in a show of solidarity. Iran’s Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi’s call for a ‘Global Day of Action’ on February 14th was honored by millions, as major cities around the world witnessed massive crowds answering the call.