Iran’s Massive Protests: Government Cracks Down

Tehran, Iran —(Map)

People across Iran have been protesting for over two weeks. The protests began over the economy, but have grown into larger protests against the government. The government has responded violently, leaving nearly 500 people dead. US President Donald Trump has suggested that the US might take action.

Iran’s government is run by a group of Islamic religious leaders called clerics. The highest leader of Iran is the “Ayatollah”. Iran’s government has recently begun cracking down on huge protests in the country. Above, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is seen last Friday, speaking about the protests.

Since late December, large numbers of people have been protesting across Iran. The protests are the largest since 2022, when people protested over the death of a young woman who was arrested for not wearing a headscarf. Those protests were mainly against the strict religious rules of the government.

The current protests started because people are upset about the economy. Last year, Iran’s money, the rial, lost 40% of its value. It has become very hard for ordinary people to buy the things they need. There were strikes, and shop keepers closed their stores. There were also protests at universities.

The current protests started because people are upset about the economy. Last year, Iran’s money, the rial, lost 40% of its value. It has become very hard for ordinary people to buy the things they need. Above, Iranians are seen blocking a street during a protest in Tehran last Thursday.

The protests quickly spread to more cities and towns across the country. So far, there have been over 570 protests in 185 cities across all 31 provinces of the country.

As the protests have grown, many people began complaining not just about the economy, but about the government, too. Some protesters have been calling for the people who rule the country to be removed.

At first the government went easy on the protesters. It also admitted that there were problems with the economy.

But in recent days, the government has been cracking down on the protesters. The government has blocked the internet and phone services. It has also been sending police and soldiers to break up the protests.

Because the internet is blocked, it’s hard to know the exact situation in Iran now. But human rights groups with sources inside the country report that close to 500 people have been killed and over 10,000 people have been arrested.

In spite of the government’s violent crackdown, many people in Iran are still protesting.

Iran’s government has begun cracking down on the protesters. Human rights groups say that close to 500 people have been killed and over 10,000 people have been arrested. In spite of the crackdown, many people in Iran are still protesting. Above, Iranians protesting in Tehran last Friday.

Mr. Trump has been encouraging the protesters, saying that if Iran began killing protesters, the US would take action.

Iran says it’s open to talking with the US, but it has warned that it will attack US and Israeli targets if either country tries to interfere.

There are reasons for Iran to take Mr. Trump’s threats seriously. Mr. Trump bombed nuclear targets in Iran last June. And in early January, under Mr. Trump’s orders, the US attacked Venezuela and captured its president.

In the past, Iran’s government has sometimes made small changes to its rules to help bring an end to protests. This time, it’s not clear that the government can make changes that will help. The problems in Iran’s economy are serious, and are unlikely to improve for a long time.

The situation remains tense, and it’s uncertain what will happen next. Much will depend on how determined the protesters are, how Iran’s government responds, and whether outside forces, like the US, get involved.