Inside Iran’s Protests: How a Plunging Currency Set Off Wide Unrest

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 8 min read 100% complete by Erika Solomon, Sanam Mahoozi, Sanjana Varghese and Jon HazellJanuary 10, 2026 at 11:34 AM

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long article 8 min

Recent protests in Iran were triggered by the Iranian rial plunging to a record low against the U.S. dollar on December 28th. The unrest began with strikes by shopkeepers in Tehran's bazaars and quickly spread from major cities to smaller towns. These demonstrations, which have resulted in dozens of deaths, pose a significant challenge to Iran's government, already weakened by international pressures. Protesters interviewed believe this wave of unrest feels more dangerous to the Islamic Republic than previous demonstrations in 2009, 2019, 2021 and 2022. The protests reflect widespread discontent over economic hardship, corruption, and social repression.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Sahar 30% Women, Life, Freedom 40% Charsou Mall 40% United States 40% Iranian rial 40% Islamic Republic 50% Israel 50% Saeed ×360% Tehran ×370% Iran ×790%

Keywords

iran protests 100% economic crisis 80% currency devaluation 70% government unrest 70% authoritarian government 60% political corruption 50% social repression 50% tehran 40% islamic republic 40%