In the last few days of December 2025, during the month of Dey in the Persian calendar, and into the new year, Iran once again witnessed widespread protests. What began in Tehran’s bazaar quickly spread to other major cities and universities, marking the most significant unrest since the 2022 uprising following the death of Mahsa Amini. The immediate trigger is economic collapse. The Iranian currency fell to nearly 1.4 million rial per dollar, inflation surpassed 52 percent, and the cost of basic goods rose beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.

Can this wave of protests, like the 2022 movement, evolve into a sustained national challenge to the Islamic Republic? And what are the similarities and differences between the Woman, Life, Freedom movement and this moment?

In the last few days of December 2025, during the month of Dey in the Persian calendar, and into the new year, Iran once again witnessed widespread protests. What began in Tehran’s bazaar quickly spread to other major cities and universities, marking the most significant unrest since the 2022 uprising following the death of Mahsa Amini. The immediate trigger is economic collapse. The Iranian currency fell to nearly 1.4 million rial per dollar, inflation surpassed 52 percent, and the cost of basic goods rose beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.

Can this wave of protests, like the 2022 movement, evolve into a sustained national challenge to the Islamic Republic? And what are the similarities and differences between the Woman, Life, Freedom movement and this moment?

A comparison between the two rounds of protests reveals both continuity and transformation in Iran’s protest dynamics. While their origins differ, both reflect deep structural grievances and an unbridgeable gap between state and society.

The 2022 protests emerged from a social and moral crisis. The death of Amini in the custody of the morality police became a symbol of systemic repression, particularly against women. What followed was a movement centered on dignity, bodily autonomy, and personal freedom. The slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom” captured a generational revolt against compulsory veiling and authoritarian control. Women and youth stood at the forefront, transforming everyday acts of resistance into a nationwide challenge to the regime’s legitimacy.

In contrast, the 2025 protests began with an economic shock. The collapse of the rial, accelerating inflation, and widespread unemployment ignited anger among shopkeepers, merchants, the urban middle class, and students. In Tehran’s Grand Bazaar and Lalehzar and Alaeddin markets, traders closed their shops and took to the streets. Their message was clear: Economic collapse and political misrule are inseparable.

Despite their different causes, both the 2022 and 2025 movements share important similarities. In each case, protests spread........

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