Iran - December 2025

On 28 December, a wave of protests erupted across Iran, marking one of the most serious episodes of unrest since the Woman, Life, Freedom protests in 2022-2023. The demonstrations began in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, where shopkeepers closed their businesses in protest against soaring inflation and the collapse of the national currency. Although initially driven by economic grievances, the protests rapidly started to spread across the country, evolving into broader anti-government demonstrations with the participation of large sectors society, including students, workers and retirees. In the final days of the month, security forces responded using tear gas, beatings and carrying out mass arrests. The protests intensified as they continued into January 2026, with at least 6,000 people killed.

Sources: Associated Press (1), Middle East Eye, The Guardian, Iran International, International IDEA, Associated Press (2)