Timeline of protests in Iran after the 1979 Islamic revolution

Al JazeeraCenterEN 9 min read 100% complete by Maziar MotamediJanuary 5, 2026 at 07:08 PM

AI Summary

long article 9 min

Recent protests and strikes have erupted across Iran due to economic decline and ongoing crises, with demonstrations recorded in most of the country's provinces as of late December 2025. Iran has a history of protests, including the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Early post-revolution protests began shortly after the revolution, when women protested against mandatory hijab laws imposed by Supreme Leader Khomeini. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was formed to suppress dissent, particularly from groups like the Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK), who later engaged in violence and were designated a terrorist organization. These early tensions over social and political restrictions laid the groundwork for future unrest, including the Mahsa Amini protests of 2022 and 2023.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Syria 30% Israel 30% Venezuela 30% Mahsa Amini protests 60% Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini 60% Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK) ×270% Tehran ×370% Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) 70% Islamic Revolution ×380% Iran ×590%

Keywords

iran protests 100% islamic revolution 80% economic decline 70% political dissent 60% hijab 60% theocratic establishment 50% mahsa amini protests 50% strikes 40% islamic revolutionary guard corps 40%