Politis

Iran Boiling Pot: Second Week of Unrest with Bloody Clashes - Wave of Protests Spreads

Published January 8, 2026, 09:31
Iran Boiling Pot: Second Week of Unrest with Bloody Clashes - Wave of Protests Spreads

Iran is facing widespread unrest for the eleventh day, triggered by a deep economic crisis and violent clashes with security forces. Protests have spread to 111 cities and towns across 31 provinces, making the crisis one of the most extensive since 2022. Videos posted on social media and verified by international media show scenes of tension, with gunfire, tear gas, and physical clashes between protesters and security forces. Protesters respond by throwing stones, while reports of gunfire from security forces have emerged in some cases. According to the Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA), at least 34 protesters and four security personnel have lost their lives since the start of the unrest, while approximately 2,200 people have been arrested. The BBC has confirmed the deaths of 21 protesters, while Iranian authorities report the deaths of five security personnel. The protests began as a reaction to the sharp decline in the value of the Iranian rial and high inflation (40%), which has led to a 72% increase in food prices in the past year. However, they quickly took on a political character, with slogans against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and expressions of support for Reza Pahlavi, son of the last Shah. The situation is particularly tense in the Kurdish regions of Iran.