A perfect storm of economic despair has unleashed chaos in Iran, where protests have turned deadly with 27 lives lost to security force interventions. Nationwide outrage over prices and policies manifests in packed streets, challenging authorities head-on.
Tuesday night’s viral videos from Abdanan’s Ilam province reveal families en masse—toddlers to seniors—marching defiantly, helicopters circling above. Protesters outnumbered guards, capping a week of fervent rallies in the area.
Rights advocates based in Norway count 27 deaths from the suppression, five children among them. Government concedes harm to police, verifying one killed amid funeral-related violence. Media notes three total deaths in the fray.
Supreme Leader Khamenei’s sharp rebuke marks his entry into the fray, ordering tough measures against saboteurs. Protests kicked off December 28 via business boycotts, escalating to Tehran’s commercial zones by mid-week.
Amnesty slams the tactics as illegal under international standards, underscoring suppression extremes. Exiled royal Reza Pahlavi mobilizes: ‘Unite at 8 PM January 8-9, anywhere—your chants dictate our path forward.’
Hailed as the mightiest since 2022-2023’s dress code death protests, this surge signals potential seismic shifts. With momentum building, Iran’s leadership confronts an existential public revolt.