Tensions soar in Iran as demonstrations spread across multiple cities

Protests across Iran continued for a fourth consecutive day, with fresh demonstrations reported in multiple cities, a harsh response from security forces, and growing calls for regime change by both protesters and politicians abroad.

Demonstrators took to the streets in cities including Esfahan, Hamadan, Babol, Dehloran, Baghmalek, and Pian, chanting slogans against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, expressing support for exiled prince Reza Pahlavi, and commemorating protesters killed in previous uprisings, including teenager Artin Rahmani from Izeh, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iranian media.

In Esfahan, nighttime protesters were filmed chanting, “Don’t be afraid, we are all together” and “Death to the dictator,” while in Dehloran and Baghmalek demonstrators raised pro-monarchy slogans such as “This is the national slogan: Reza Pahlavi,” “Javid Shah” (“Long live the Shah”), and called for Khamenei to be overthrown.

Security forces responded with force in several locations. Reports and footage showed gunfire and tear gas deployed in cities including Nahavand, Asadabad, and Hamadan, where residents stood their ground, with one protester reportedly confronting a water cannon.

In Babol, crowds intervened to prevent security forces from arresting a demonstrator. In Tehran, student leader Sarira Karimi of the University of Tehran was detained following a raid on her home, and her current whereabouts remain unknown.

Authorities reported that a government building was attacked in the southern city of Fasa. According to the justice ministry, several people damaged parts of the provincial governor’s office on December 31. Hamed Ostovar, head of Fasa’s judiciary, said, “A portion of the governor’s office door and its glass were destroyed in an attack by a number of people,” adding that four suspects were arrested after police intervened and three officers were injured.

Meanwhile, a member of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard was killed on January 1. The Basij member, aged 21, from Kouhdasht, “was killed last night by rioters while defending public order,” according to Said Pourali, deputy governor of Lorestan Province.

Iranians have taken to street to protest against the economic collapse, and are demanding political regime change and personal freedom. The protest was triggered after the Iranian rial hit a record low of approximately 1.45 million to 1 USD in December 2025, losing nearly half its value since the start of the year. Soon after, inflation hit all time high with food prices surging by 72 per cent and medical goods by 50 per cent. The widespread protest also comes after a 2026 budget proposed 62 per cent tax increase. Protests began on December 28 when the bazaari (merchant class) closed their shops and took to the streets. It expanded to Ahvaz, Hamadan, Qeshm, and Mashhad.

As protest is escalating, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has appealed for unity. Speaking at a business forum in Tehran, Pezeshkian blamed foreign interference for the unrest. “We are in a situation where external pressures are being exerted by the country’s enemies and, unfortunately, within the country as well,” he said. The Iranian president went on to call for unity, saying the country was engaged in a “full-scale war”.

By Vafa Guliyeva