CaliToday (3/12/2026): A wave of volatile anti-government protests has swept across Iran this week, fueled by a catastrophic collapse of the national currency and a deepening cost-of-living crisis. Demonstrators in major cities have openly called for the downfall of the establishment, chanting slogans such as "Death to the dictator" and "Death to Khamenei" in a rare display of public defiance.
Currency Freefall and Market Strikes The unrest was triggered by the Iranian rial’s historic plunge, which hit a record low of 1.42–1.45 million rials against the U.S. dollar over the weekend. The devaluation has eviscerated the purchasing power of ordinary Iranians, leading to immediate commercial paralysis.
In Tehran, the Grand Bazaar historically the economic heartbeat of the capital and a barometer of political stability ground to a halt as merchants shuttered their shops. Strikes have also been reported in mobile markets and commercial districts across the country, with traders refusing to sell goods amidst the pricing chaos.
Unrest Spreads Beyond the Capital Reports indicate that demonstrations have expanded beyond Tehran to key provincial hubs, including Mashhad, Isfahan, and Kermanshah. Videos circulating on social media show protesters burning tires and blocking roads.
Security forces have responded with heavy-handed tactics. Witnesses report the deployment of severe tear gas described by locals as suffocatingly intense to disperse crowds in volatile districts. Clashes between riot police and demonstrators are ongoing.
A Convergence of Crises Analysts view this as the most significant economic uprising in years. The Islamic Republic is grappling with an official inflation rate soaring above 42%, though independent estimates suggest it is much higher.
The economic grievance is compounded by systemic infrastructure failures. Widespread poverty is now exacerbated by chronic water shortages and rolling power blackouts, pushing public frustration to a breaking point as the country enters the new year.