2025–2026 Iranian protests

The 2025–2026 Iranian protests are a series of nationwide demonstrations against the Iranian government that began on 28 December 2025 amid a deepening economic crisis. The unrest followed a sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial, soaring inflation, and widespread shortages linked to international sanctions. This event has been the largest uprising since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, spreading to over 100 cities across the country. The ensuing crackdown, which was carried out under Ali Khamenei's and senior officials' order for live fire on protesters according to Iran International, resulted in massacres that left thousands of protesters dead, making them the largest massacres in modern Iranian history. Human Rights Activists in Iran confirmed at least 7,000 deaths; the Iranian government reported 3,117 deaths, while other estimates place the death toll as high as 32,000.

Initially sparked by frustration over record-high inflation, food prices, and currency depreciation, the protests quickly evolved into a broader movement demanding an end to the Islamic government. Beginning with the bazaari (shopkeepers and merchants) in Tehran's Grand Bazaar and later university students, the demonstrations soon spread to other major cities and small settlements. Protesters chanted anti-government slogans.

Although largely leaderless, the protests escalated on 8 January following a call for unified protests by Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last shah. On 8 January, 1.5 million protesters came out to the streets of Tehran and, by 9 January 5 million protesters came out nationwide according to an unnamed European diplomat based on intelligence. Pahlavi has called for a peaceful transition and a referendum to decide Iran's future political system. The Iranian government has cut off Internet access and telephone services in an attempt to prevent protesters from organising. It has accused the United States and Israel of fuelling the protests, which analysts suggest may be a tactic to increase security forces' willingness to kill protesters. An Israeli minister and a Twitter account allegedly operated by Mossad have claimed their involvement.

By 9 January, millions had taken to the streets in protests across all 31 provinces. Amid the internet blackout, Iranian security forces escalated their use of live ammunition against demonstrators. Hospitals in Tehran and Shiraz were reported to be overwhelmed by injured protesters, many suffering gunshot wounds. Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed security forces fired on protesters, raising international concern over human rights. In addition, thousands were arrested during the violent crackdown. Despite the blackout, on 10 January 2026, The Guardian documented multiple reports of security forces opening fire on demonstrations, with one eyewitness stating they saw "hundreds of bodies" across Tehran.

By late January, Time, The Guardian and Iran International reported that between 30,000 and 36,500 protesters were killed during 8–9 January. As of 5 February 2026, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) had confirmed 7,015 deaths, of whom at least 6,508 were protesters, with 11,744 additional cases under review. The Iranian government had confirmed 3,117 deaths. On 11 February, president Masoud Pezeshkian apologised to the nation for the crackdown of the protests.

On 21 February, a second large wave of protests broke out, led by students at several universities.