Since late December 2025, protests over a sharp drop in the rial and stubborn economic hardships have rippled through several Iranian cities 🌆. Demonstrators are demanding relief from rising prices and unemployment, and Iranian authorities have said they’re open to addressing economic grievances—while warning against violence and vandalism.
Meanwhile, top U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, have publicly warned they’ll 'act' if Iranian authorities resort to force against peaceful protesters. These comments, delivered in late December 2025, showed Washington's solidarity with demonstrators and its concern over potential crackdowns.
This week, Iran's Foreign Ministry fired back, condemning those U.S. remarks as 'interventionist and deceptive'. In a statement released on Wednesday, ministry spokespeople accused Washington of using fake concern to fuel instability and continue its so-called 'maximum pressure' campaign.
Dozens of people, including protesters and members of the security forces, have been killed since the demonstrations began. There is no official death toll, but various reports point to a rising number of casualties that have deepened public anger.
In the age of TikTok and Instagram Reels, young Iranians are documenting protests in real time—echoing the digital activism we've seen across South and Southeast Asia. From student-led rallies in India to youth-driven calls for democracy in Thailand, the region’s young crowd knows the power of online solidarity 📱✨.
Whether Iran’s leadership and its critics abroad will find common ground—or ramp up tensions—remains to be seen. For now, this standoff highlights how local economic issues and global politics are more connected than ever, especially for a generation that lives, protests, and mobilizes online 🤔.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
