Tensions boiled over at Tehran's historic Grand Bazaar as security forces clashed with protesters in a sit-in, marking the 10th consecutive day of nationwide demonstrations. The violent confrontation came amidst growing accusations that authorities are cracking down on protesters.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing teargas used by the security forces to disperse demonstrators, while others were detained and arrested. In one shocking incident, security forces raided a hospital in Illam province, sparking footage of medical staff being beaten and wounded protesters being attacked with teargas and ammunition. The US State Department described such actions as "a clear crime against humanity".
The protests, sparked by economic concerns including rising prices and stagnant wages, have shown no signs of slowing, with demonstrations reported at over 257 locations in 88 cities nationwide.
Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating that the government has limited powers to address economic woes. He warned that any attempts to intervene could exacerbate already spiraling inflation and worsen living standards for ordinary Iranians.
The central bank has announced plans to curb a program offering preferential exchange rates on dollars, which is likely to lead to further price hikes and shortages for consumers. The move has sparked fears of widespread shortages in Iranian grocery stores, with prices of basic goods doubling or tripling in some areas.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has made a thinly veiled threat to intervene in Iran's internal affairs if the government kills protesters, drawing condemnation from top Iranian officials. The situation is complex and fluid, with the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cautioning against "rioters" among the demonstrators but acknowledging their legitimate demands.
The international community remains divided on how to respond to the crisis, while ordinary Iranians continue to bear the brunt of economic hardship.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing teargas used by the security forces to disperse demonstrators, while others were detained and arrested. In one shocking incident, security forces raided a hospital in Illam province, sparking footage of medical staff being beaten and wounded protesters being attacked with teargas and ammunition. The US State Department described such actions as "a clear crime against humanity".
The protests, sparked by economic concerns including rising prices and stagnant wages, have shown no signs of slowing, with demonstrations reported at over 257 locations in 88 cities nationwide.
Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating that the government has limited powers to address economic woes. He warned that any attempts to intervene could exacerbate already spiraling inflation and worsen living standards for ordinary Iranians.
The central bank has announced plans to curb a program offering preferential exchange rates on dollars, which is likely to lead to further price hikes and shortages for consumers. The move has sparked fears of widespread shortages in Iranian grocery stores, with prices of basic goods doubling or tripling in some areas.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has made a thinly veiled threat to intervene in Iran's internal affairs if the government kills protesters, drawing condemnation from top Iranian officials. The situation is complex and fluid, with the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cautioning against "rioters" among the demonstrators but acknowledging their legitimate demands.
The international community remains divided on how to respond to the crisis, while ordinary Iranians continue to bear the brunt of economic hardship.
I'm so worried about what's happening in Iran rn! The government needs to step up and address the people's concerns, but instead they're just getting more violent 
. It's not fair to the protesters who are just trying to make ends meet. I mean, can't they see that their actions are just bringing suffering to more ppl? 
I'm also lowkey scared for the ppl in those hospitals and grocery stores who get caught in the middle of this chaos 
. Can we please just find a peaceful solution to this before someone gets hurt? 
It's like everyone's just focusing on who's shouting louder or throwing stones, but what about the actual problems people are facing? Like, seriously, if prices are doubling and tripling in some areas, it's a big deal. And now they're taking away preferential exchange rates on dollars? That's gonna make things WORSE. I don't get why international leaders can't just sit down and talk to the Iranian government about this economic stuff instead of making threats or jumping into the fray. It's not like Iran is asking for help, it's just trying to survive... 
. And get this, prices of basic goods doubled or tripled in some areas... that's like, insane! 
. And did you know that 80% of Iranians use the internet to stay informed about current events? This is like, a whole different level of digital activism 
.
, but what do they know? I mean, we're talking about a country with one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world 
. It's no wonder people are taking to the streets 
.
. 10 days in a row and still no end to these protests? it's like the government is trying to suppress our voices but the people won't back down 
. and now they're saying that if they try to intervene, it'll just make things worse? that's like trying to put out a fire with gasoline 
.
it's like we're stuck in some kind of time warp, reliving the same struggles over and over again.
, isn't it? The Iranian president's admission that the government has limited powers to address economic woes sounds like a cop-out 
. I mean, can you blame the protesters for taking matters into their own hands? It's like they're saying, "Hey, we know the system is broken, so we'll take a stand ourselves!" 
One thing's for sure: the international community needs to stay vigilant and not take sides too quickly 
! According to data from the Iranian government, inflation is at 35% YoY 
, and wages have only increased by 2.5% over the past year 
. Meanwhile, the US State Department has confirmed that security forces used teargas on protesters 7 times in one day... like, what's going on?! 
.
.
. The international community needs to be all like "hey, calm down and let these people figure out their own problems" 
.
. The situation is like a ticking time bomb, with the government making things worse by limiting their own powers to address economic issues 
.
, and it's not helping to resolve anything.
. We can't just sit back and watch as economic hardship spirals out of control 
. Something needs to change, and fast 
!
I'm so tired of seeing people getting hurt for demanding basic human rights like fair prices and decent wages