The recent wave of protests in Iran, marked by escalating violence and widespread participation, reveals a complex and evolving struggle for change. It's a story unfolding amidst tight restrictions on information, making it incredibly challenging to piece together the truth. But let's dive into what we do know.
Accessing reliable information from Iran is like trying to see through a thick fog. The government heavily controls communication, especially with internet blackouts, making it nearly impossible to get a clear picture of what's happening.
ABC NEWS Verify has been working to track the protests' emergence and spread using the limited information available from within Iran.
The situation has become increasingly dire, with reports of over **500 people killed since December 28th.**
Unlike the 2022 unrest, which was largely driven by students and sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, these current protests are fueled by a different engine. Business owners, retail workers, and factory workers are at the forefront, later joined by university students and everyday Iranians. This shift in leadership could signify a broader discontent.
The Spark: Small Actions, Big Impact
The initial signs of unrest appeared in late December 2025. Workers from sugar and petrol refineries and gold miners began protesting outside Tehran on December 27th and 28th.
On December 29th, the movement reached Tehran. Workers at mobile phone stores in the Alaeddin market initiated an organized strike. Soon after, the gold markets on Lalehzar Street followed suit. This walkout is the earliest video evidence of protests within Tehran that ABC NEWS Verify has obtained.
These strikes led to an AI-generated flyer circulating on local Telegram channels. It called for a national strike on December 29, 2025.
The Spread: From Local Strikes to a National Movement
As some Tehran markets closed, merchants in Shiraz and Hamedan also called for city-wide strikes. The Iranian rial plummeted to a historic low of 144,000 tomans per US dollar by December 29th.
On December 30th, videos from Qeshm Island showed workers marching, with fires lit in the streets.
By the third day, more workers from Tehran's Grand Bazaar joined the protests, including women. University students from multiple schools also began to participate.
Five people were arrested in the early stages of these student marches as protesters' chants of "death to the dictator" spread from Tehran University of Technology to the cities of Isfahan and Yazd.
The Crackdown: Repression and Violence
Videos from Abdanan show members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seemingly marching alongside protesters.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported altercations with riot police as early as day two, with tear gas and water cannons used to disperse crowds.
By day 11, the protests had reportedly reached 111 cities and all 31 of Iran's provinces.
As of January 7th, over **40 people, including at least five children, had reportedly been killed.**
Iran's parliament also reported deaths among security forces. The reported death toll has since surpassed 500 people, though independent verification remains impossible. HRANA estimates 250 bodies are visible in videos recorded near the Behesht Zahra Cemetery.
The ongoing internet shutdown and increased repression make it likely that information will become even scarcer, and the violence may escalate.
But here's where it gets controversial... The fact that the protests are now led by a different group of people is a significant change. Is this a sign of a broader, more unified opposition? Or is it simply a different facet of the same underlying issues?
And this is the part most people miss... The government's response, the internet shutdowns, and the reported casualties paint a grim picture.
What do you think? Are these protests a sign of a crumbling regime, or just another chapter in a long history of dissent? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
