Iran’s Economic Crisis Triggers Nationwide Protests as Unrest Enters Eleventh Day

Daftar Isi

 

en01.web.id – Iran. Large-scale demonstrations continued across Iran on Wednesday (January 7, 2026), marking the eleventh consecutive day of nationwide protests triggered by a deepening economic crisis and growing public frustration with government policies. Thousands of people took to the streets in major cities including Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, and Shiraz, despite heightened security measures imposed by authorities to contain the unrest that began in late December 2025.

The protests first erupted on December 28, 2025, in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, where merchants initiated strikes to protest the sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial, soaring prices of basic goods, and worsening living conditions. What began as an economic grievance among traders quickly spread beyond the capital, drawing participation from students, workers, and other segments of society affected by inflation and financial instability.

Human rights monitoring groups report that demonstrations have now occurred in more than 250 locations across at least 27 of Iran’s 31 provinces, making the current wave of unrest one of the most widespread in recent years. Protesters have voiced anger over rising unemployment, declining purchasing power, and what they describe as the government’s failure to shield ordinary citizens from the consequences of prolonged sanctions and fiscal mismanagement.

As the movement expanded, the nature of the protests evolved. While initially focused on economic demands, rallies in several cities began to include broader political criticism, targeting governance, corruption, and restrictions on public dissent. This shift has heightened concerns among Iranian authorities over potential challenges to political stability if the demonstrations continue unchecked.

The Iranian government has responded by deploying large numbers of security forces, including riot police and paramilitary units, to disperse crowds and prevent further escalation. Reports from rights organizations indicate that security forces have used tear gas, rubber bullets, and mass arrests. Since the protests began, dozens of people have been killed and thousands detained, though official casualty figures have not been fully disclosed by the state.

Senior judicial officials have issued stern warnings, stating that authorities will show no leniency toward what they label as “rioters” and individuals threatening national security. At the same time, government leaders have acknowledged the severity of the economic pressure facing the population and said limited measures are being prepared to mitigate the impact of inflation and currency instability.

Internationally, the unrest has drawn attention from foreign governments and human rights groups, many of which have called for restraint and respect for civilian rights. Iranian officials have rejected these criticisms, accusing external actors of exploiting internal economic hardship to interfere in the country’s domestic affairs and undermine its sovereignty.

As of Wednesday evening, protests and strikes were still reported in several regions, with some merchants keeping their shops closed and student groups continuing sporadic demonstrations. The ongoing unrest underscores the scale of Iran’s economic challenges and highlights the difficulty facing authorities in restoring calm amid widespread public discontent and demands for meaningful change.