Iran sees the largest protests in three years amid economic crisis
Photo: protests began in Tehran and spread to other major cities (video screenshot)
In Iran, the largest protests since 2022 have erupted, driven by the rapid devaluation of the national currency and the economic crisis, according to The Wall Street Journal.
People have taken to the streets amid the sharp devaluation of the rial, rising inflation, and widespread dissatisfaction, which is being exacerbated by harsh government repression. Notably, the national currency has collapsed to a historic low — over 1.4 million rials per 1 US dollar.
Additionally, amid the economic crisis, the head of Iran’s central bank, Mohammad Reza Farzin, has resigned.
The demonstrations began in Tehran, on Saadi Street and in the Shush district near the main Grand Bazaar. Traders, who closed their shops in protest, were among the main participants.
Subsequently, the protests spread to other major cities, including Isfahan, Shiraz, and Mashhad. Reports indicate that security forces used tear gas to disperse the crowds.
The outlet notes that Iran supports Russia in the war against Ukraine, supplying the aggressor country with military technologies, drones, and various components. Thus, while the Iranian government spends resources on the war abroad, the country’s population suffers from an economic crisis and shortages of basic resources.
Official Tehran blames foreign forces for the crisis, urges people not to panic, and calls the currency collapse a result of psychological pressure from the enemy.
Russia-US cooperation
Iran supports Russia in the war against Ukraine, albeit unofficially. As early as 2022, it provided Russia with "kamikaze" drones, which the Russian forces have used to attack Ukrainians.
Additionally, The Wall Street Journal reported last year that Russia receives short-range ballistic missiles from Iran.
At the time, the US State Department stated that the US and its partners were prepared to take serious measures against Iran over the potential transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia.
The European Union also obtained intelligence confirming Iran’s supply of ballistic missiles to Russia.
Iran’s Ministry of Defense officially denied supplying missiles to the aggressor country, but an Iranian lawmaker confirmed the deliveries to the media.
