Protests spread across Iran as young people demand regime change

Iran is facing a new wave of anti-government protests, which have quickly spread from Tehran to all 31 provinces. This time, the protests are mainly a reaction to the collapse of the currency and the frustration of young men with the economic situation and the regime's foreign policy.

Protesters criticize support for militants in the region and demand a change in priorities—instead of investing in the nuclear program, they want to address the cost-of-living crisis.

The protests have not yet reached the scale of the 2022–2023 riots following the death of Mahsa Amini, who died in custody. However, analysts point out that the regime's strategy to date is no longer working.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that at least 34 protesters and four members of the security forces were killed during the unrest, and 2,200 people were arrested.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is facing a serious crisis of authority. A former high-ranking member of the reformist wing of the establishment said that the basic ideological pillars of the Islamic Republic — from enforced hijab rules to foreign policy decisions — do not appeal to people under the age of 30, who make up almost half of the population.

(reuters, pir)