1970s Rewind:
it’s important to understand the power structures that exist in Iran. To do that, we need to rewind to the 1970s. At that time, Iran looked very different to the country we know today. It was ruled by a U.S-backed leader, and was increasingly Westernised and secularised.
The Iranian Revolution:
Then, in 1978, the Iranian population staged a year-long uprising, deposing the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. This became known as the Iranian Revolution.
Khomeinism
Since 1979, the country has been an Islamic Republic with a Supreme Leader. Ayatollah Khomeini was the Supreme Leader until his 1989 death, imposing laws based on a conservative interpretation of Islamic teachings, and opposing the ‘westernisation’ of Iran.
Overall, the country is run by religious clerics who impose conservative, Islamic laws and regulations on Iranians.
Origins of the mass protests
These protests started on 28 December 2025, when shopkeepers (known as bazaaris) in Tehran started demonstrating after the rial (Iran’s currency) hit an all-time low against the U.S. dollar. Iran’s economy has been struggling for a while now, but this was a significant moment. A day later, the head of the Central Bank of Iran resigned.
It came as figures showed that Iran’s official inflation rate reached 42.5% in December. For context: Australia’s inflation rate was 3.4% in the year to November. These economic challenges were deepened by the effects of U.S. led sanctions on Iran.
The bazaaris closed their shops to protest the impact of Iran’s collapsing currency on their businesses. The Iranian regime responded with small economic measures, hoping that would quell discontent.
Protests evolve
Over the past three weeks or so, the protests have grown in size, nature and significance, with initial economic concerns transforming into broader political disillusionment. Protests are being staged in every single province across Iran, with demonstrators calling for the complete overthrow of the regime.
Protesters have been chanting “Death to Khamenei” and “Death to the dictator” along with messages of support for the former monarchy (the Shah).
Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last Shah of Iran, encouraged protesters in a recent statement: “Take to the streets and, as one united front, shout your demands.”
Violent Crackdown:
Iranian authorities have launched a violent crackdown against protesters. Last Thursday, authorities blocked internet and phone access, effectively cutting Iranians off from the rest of the world. The communications blackout means it’s next to impossible for news outlets to verify important updates from Iran, including death tolls
. This is why reports on the casualties in Iran vary significantly.
One group, the Human Rights Activists News Agency, puts the death toll at an estimated 2,600 people. London-based new outlet Iran International estimates the toll is at 12,000 people.
Without any reporters on the ground, it’s impossible for The Daily Aus to independently verify these figures. However, the Centre for Human Rights in Iran, based in New York, said in a statement earlier this week that “a massacre is unfolding. The world must act now to prevent further loss of life”.
Of the limited vision trickling out of the country, we’ve seen videos of hundreds of bodies piled in a makeshift morgue, machine guns fired at protesters and reports of ordered executions of at least one protester.
International involvement
As all of this unfolds within Iran’s borders, you might’ve also seen headlines about possible U.S. involvement.
U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media that the U.S. would come to the “rescue” of Iranians if authorities killed protesters. “We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” he added.
Tensions have continued to escalate.
Last weekend, Iran’s Supreme Leader accused the protesters of acting to “please the President of the U.S.” A day later, President Trump told media “the [U.S.] military is…looking at some very strong options”.
As Trump continues weighing his options, U.S. officials announced new sanctions against “key Iranian leaders” on Friday. It comes days after the President declared: “Any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America.”
To be continued...
Again I thank the digital newsletter: The Daily Aus for this above edited Post. Whose reporting is fair, balanced and concise.
( Agreed: Digital Anvil )
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