Iran Protests Turn Violent as Inflation Fury Spreads to 100 Cities, 45 Dead

Protests against inflation and economic distress in Iran, which have been ongoing for the past 13 days, have now turned violent. The situation worsened on Thursday night. According to CNN, protests have spread to more than 100 cities across the country. Angry protesters blocked roads in many places, set vehicles on fire, and chanted anti-government slogans.

During the protests, slogans like "Death to Khamenei" and "The Islamic Republic is over" resonated. In some cities, people were also seen expressing support for exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. Protesters have intensified their demands for regime change by chanting slogans like "This is the last battle, Shah Pahlavi will return."

According to the US Human Rights Agency, 45 people have died so far in the violence during these protests, including eight children. The severity of the situation can be gauged from the fact that a police officer was stabbed to death, while more than 2,270 people have been detained.

To control the situation, the Iranian government has shut down internet and phone services nationwide. Tehran Airport has also been temporarily closed, and the army has been placed on high alert. Markets in the capital, Tehran, remained closed, while students occupied several university campuses. Internet watchdog NetBlocks has described this as preparation for violent repression. However, some protesters are sharing videos and information on social media through alternative means like Starlink.

The protests intensified further when exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi issued an open appeal on Thursday to the Iranian people to take to the streets. Reza Pahlavi is the son of Iran's last Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was ousted from power during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He currently lives in the United States.

In his statement, Reza Pahlavi praised US President Donald Trump and said that leaders of the free world should openly support the Iranian people. Meanwhile, President Trump has once again warned that the US will not shy away from military action if protesters are killed in Iran.

Trump said, "If they start killing people, as they often do, we will target them very harshly." This statement has sparked fears of further escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

According to experts, this anger in Iran is particularly prevalent among Gen Z youth. This is largely due to the country's deteriorating economy. In December 2025, the Iranian currency, the rial, fell to 1.45 million per US dollar, its lowest level ever. The rial has nearly halved in value since the beginning of the year.

Inflation is rampant. Food prices have risen by approximately 72%, and medicine prices by approximately 50%. Furthermore, the government's proposed tax increase of 62% in the 2026 budget has further fueled public anger. Given the current situation, there is a fear that the crisis in Iran will deepen in the coming days.