Protests against the Iranian regime have entered their ninth day, with reports that at least 29 people have been killed.
Iranians are protesting economic hardship and government measures.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said his country will become involved in the disputes if the regime uses violence against protesters.
Iranian UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani has labelled Trump’s threat an “intervention in internal affairs”.
Here’s what you need to know.
Background
Demonstrations began on 28 December, when shopkeepers in Tehran began protesting after the rial (Iran’s currency) hit an all-time low against the U.S. dollar.
A day later, the head of the Central Bank of Iran resigned.
On Monday, the Guardian reported that inflation reached 52.6% in December.
The Center for Human Rights in Iran has confirmed protesters are concerned by the country’s economic situation and government regime, though no clear protest demands have been reported.
Over the past week, protests have expanded across Iran, now covering 88 cities and multiple university campuses, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
Aside from economic concerns, university students are alsoprotesting against the regime’s mandatory hijab rule.
It’s reported that protesters have been chanting “Woman, Life, Freedom” which was popularised in 2022 protests. These protests erupted after 22-year-old woman Mahsa (Zhina) Amini died following her arrest by the regime’s ‘morality police’.
Fallout
HRANA reported on Monday that the number of protesters arrested over the nine-day period of demonstrations is approximately 1,200.
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The organisation estimates that “the actual number” is “significantly higher.”
Iranian news outlet Fars News Agency reported injuries of 314 military and law enforcement personnel, while HRANA recorded 64 protester injuries.
Response
On 3 January, the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on X that “the shopkeepers’ protest about the excessive surge in foreign exchange is valid.”
Khamenei said: “Protesting is different from rioting... the officials must talk with the protestors.”
“Rioters must be put in their place,” he added.
Iran International reported this week the government’s plan to provide monthly vouchers for basic goods in an effort to curb protesters’ concerns.
U.S. involvement
In a post to X on 3 January, Trump said that if Iran “violently kills peaceful protesters” the U.S. “will come to their rescue.”
“We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” Trump added.
A photo of Trump holding a ‘Make Iran Great Again’ hat was shared to X by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham on 5 January.
In a letter to the UN Security Council, Iranian UN ambassador Iravani said that Trump had “openly threatened” Iran.
Iravani said the U.S. has shown a “consistent pattern of intervention and coercion pursued under the pretext of ‘supporting the Iranian people’.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the country’s military “know exactly where to aim in the event of any infringement of Iranian sovereignty.”
