Iran Protests Erupt as National Currency Hits Record Low
Massive demonstrations have swept across Iran after the rial plummeted to historic lows, triggering the country's largest protests in three years. Shopkeepers and merchants led strikes in Tehran's iconic Grand Bazaar before crowds poured into the streets, chanting against the government and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The currency crisis has paralyzed businesses and deepened public fury over soaring inflation and economic mismanagement.
When Money Loses Its Value, People Lose Their Patience
The Iranian rial's catastrophic fall has done more than just empty wallets—it's ignited a firestorm of anger across the nation. On December 28, 2025, the currency hit a staggering 1.445 million rials to the dollar, a collapse so severe that merchants simply couldn't operate. By the next morning, what began as economic strikes had transformed into full-blown anti-regime protests.
Tehran's Grand Bazaar, the traditional heart of Iran's merchant class and a powerful political force, went silent as shopkeepers shuttered their stores. The Charsou mall followed suit. But the silence didn't last long. Within hours, crowds filled the streets, their frustration boiling over into chants that directly challenged the government's authority.
The protests quickly spread beyond the capital. Cities like Isfahan, Shiraz, and Mashhad saw their own demonstrations as the economic pain became impossible to ignore. For ordinary Iranians, the numbers tell a brutal story: the rial has lost nearly 70% of its value in just three years, falling from about 430,000 per dollar in 2022 to over 1.38 million by late December 2025.
Behind these figures lies a perfect storm of economic pressures. Hyperinflation has reached 42.2%, meaning prices are rising faster than most people can comprehend. U.S. sanctions continue to strangle Iran's oil exports, cutting off a crucial revenue stream. The ongoing conflict with Israel has added another layer of instability, draining resources and confidence.
For merchants and shopkeepers, the currency's volatility has become existential. Daily losses mount as the value of their inventory and earnings evaporates. Families struggle to afford basic necessities as prices spiral upward. The economic pain has become unbearable, and people want someone to blame.
The government's response has been both predictable and telling. Mohammad Reza Farzin, Iran's Central Bank Governor, resigned amid the chaos—a tacit admission that the situation had spiraled beyond control. Meanwhile, security forces deployed tear gas in Tehran and other cities, attempting to disperse the growing crowds using the same heavy-handed tactics seen during the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests.
But this time, the anger stems from a different place. While previous protests centered on social freedoms and women's rights, these demonstrations are rooted in pure economic survival. When people can't feed their families or keep their businesses running, political grievances become secondary to the immediate crisis at hand.
Experts point to a toxic mix of policy failures, crippling sanctions anticipated under returning President Trump's administration, and energy shortages that have left households struggling through winter. The protests signal something deeper than temporary unrest—they reveal a regime whose economic credibility has shattered.
Key Updates
- Protests began December 28, 2025 when the rial hit 1.445 million to the dollar, the lowest rate on record
- Central Bank Governor Mohammad Reza Farzin resigned amid speculation and mounting pressure over the currency crisis
- Demonstrations spread to major cities including Isfahan, Shiraz, and Mashhad, marking the largest protests since 2022
- Security forces used tear gas to disperse crowds in Tehran and other areas, mirroring tactics from previous crackdowns
- Hyperinflation reached 42.2% while the rial lost nearly 70% of its value over three years
Why This Is Trending
Currency collapse protests in Iran are dominating social media and news feeds because they represent a potentially explosive moment for the regime. Economic instability has historically been a regime-killer, and these demonstrations show how quickly financial pain can translate into political rage. The protests also come at a sensitive time, with U.S. sanctions expected to intensify and regional tensions remaining high. People online are watching closely to see if economic grievances will evolve into broader calls for political change, potentially threatening the government's stability in ways that previous protests couldn't achieve.
Keywords: Iran protests, Iranian rial collapse, Tehran demonstrations, Iran currency crisis, Grand Bazaar strike, Iran inflation, Mohammad Reza Farzin resignation, Iran economic unrest, rial devaluation, Iran hyperinflation
