Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Tehran and other Iranian cities in one of the largest waves of protests in recent years, with chants directed directly against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The demonstrations, which began over economic deterioration, inflation, and the collapse of the rial, quickly evolved into an open rejection of the Islamic regime and its power structure.
Authorities have responded with a severe crackdown, including mass arrests and the use of lethal force, leaving a high number of dead and injured according to human rights organizations. While the regime accuses protesters of acting under foreign influence, the scale and persistence of the protests reflect deep social and political discontent within the country.
