Large-scale anti-government protests have broken out across Tehran and several other major Iranian cities, according to widely shared and verified videos circulating on social media, despite severe restrictions on internet access imposed by the authorities. The footage, confirmed by multiple international media outlets and human-rights groups, shows thousands of demonstrators flooding streets, chanting slogans against Iran’s political leadership and calling for sweeping change.
The protests, which have continued for days, were triggered by deepening economic hardship, including the rapid fall of Iran’s currency, soaring inflation and rising unemployment. Many demonstrators have also voiced anger over long-standing political repression and lack of personal freedoms, turning what began as economic frustration into a broader challenge to the ruling system.
Videos from Tehran show crowds marching through central districts, blocking roads and gathering on bridges, while similar scenes have been reported in cities such as Mashhad, Isfahan, Tabriz and Shiraz. In several clips, protesters can be heard chanting slogans directly targeting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, signalling rare and open defiance of Iran’s highest authority. Other footage appears to show protesters removing surveillance cameras and confronting security forces.
The Iranian government has responded with a heavy security presence and widespread internet shutdowns aimed at limiting communication and the spread of protest footage. Rights organisations report dozens of deaths and hundreds, possibly thousands, of arrests since the unrest began, although exact figures remain difficult to verify due to restrictions on independent reporting. State media have downplayed the scale of the demonstrations, portraying them as isolated incidents, while officials have accused foreign actors of inciting unrest.
Analysts say the breadth of the protests, spanning many regions and social groups, represents one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s leadership in recent years. As demonstrations continue and videos keep emerging despite censorship, observers warn that the situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation if political and economic grievances remain unaddressed.
English