Iran is witnessing one of its most intense waves of unrest in years, as nationwide anti-government protests fueled by deepening economic hardship have spread from major urban centers to small provincial towns. What began as demonstrations against soaring prices, inflation, and economic mismanagement has rapidly escalated into a broader challenge to the Islamic Republic itself, triggering a harsh state response and resulting in dozens of deaths, according to human rights organizations.

From Tehran’s crowded squares to normally quiet residential streets, Iranians of all ages have poured into the streets in recent weeks. Videos circulating online show burning vehicles, damaged buildings, and confrontations between protesters and security forces in cities across the country. While not all footage could be independently verified, the sheer volume of images and eyewitness accounts points to the scale and intensity of the unrest.

Human rights groups say the cost in human lives has been severe. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch reported that Iranian authorities used live ammunition and other deadly force during demonstrations between December 31 and January 3, killing at least 28 protesters and bystanders. The Norway-based group Iran Human Rights placed the death toll higher, reporting that at least 45 people, including eight children, have been killed since the protests began. Hundreds more have reportedly been injured, and more than 2,000 people detained.

The unrest erupted in late December following a sharp collapse of Iran’s national currency and a surge in inflation, developments that have further eroded living standards for millions of Iranians. Years of economic sanctions, widespread corruption, and poor governance have combined to create a cost-of-living crisis that........

© Blitz