Huge Anti-Government Protests Sweep Iran as Streets Fill With Anger
It started quietly.
Then it didn’t.
By Thursday night, Iran’s streets were no longer calm. In Tehran, Mashhad, and dozens of other cities, people walked out of their homes and into the roads. Some came alone. Others came in groups. Many didn’t know how long they would stay.
They only knew they couldn’t stay silent anymore.
Videos reviewed by Republic News US show large anti-government protests unfolding across the country — the biggest challenge to Iran’s leadership in years.
What the Videos Show
In Mashhad, crowds moved down a wide road, shoulder to shoulder. The chanting was loud, but steady. Not chaotic. Not rushed.
“Long live the shah,” some shouted.
“This is the final battle,” others replied.
At one point, a few men climbed an overpass. They reached for what appeared to be surveillance cameras and pulled them down. People below cheered.
In eastern Tehran, another video showed a long line of protesters walking quietly at first. Then the noise grew. From the north of the city, voices echoed through the dark.
“Don’t be afraid,” they shouted.
“We are all together.”
Why This Is Happening Now
This unrest did not come out of nowhere.
Iran’s economy has been collapsing for months. The rial has lost value again and again. Prices keep rising. Paychecks do not.
For many families, daily life has become a calculation: what can we afford today, and what will have to wait?
Human rights groups say protests have now reached more than 100 cities and towns, spreading across all 31 provinces. This is not limited to one region. Or one group.
University students joined. Shopkeepers closed their stores. Workers stayed home.
And the anger kept growing.
Deaths, Arrests, and Fear
As the crowds grew, so did the danger.
Rights groups report that dozens of protesters have been killed, including children. Thousands have been arrested. Security forces have also suffered casualties.
In the western city of Dezful, footage showed gunfire near a central square. People ran. Some fell. The videos cut off quickly.
Wednesday became the deadliest day so far.
“It’s getting more violent every day,” said one human rights monitor tracking the unrest.
When the Internet Went Dark
As the protests spread, something familiar happened.
The internet slowed. Then disappeared.
Watchdog groups say Iran entered a nationwide internet blackout, making it harder for people to share videos, check on loved ones, or even understand what was happening outside their neighborhoods.
State media offered a different picture.
Some outlets said protests never happened. Others showed empty streets — filmed earlier, or far from where the crowds had gathered.
Online, Iranians shared what they could before connections dropped again.
Voices From Inside the Crowd
One woman in Tehran said she feels stuck — unable to leave, unable to build a future.
“We’re just hanging here,” she said. “No hope. No way out.”
Another protester said she joined because her dreams were taken from her.
“We still have a voice,” she said. “And we’re using it.”
In Ilam, a woman said even families connected to the government are not immune.
“Young people are joining without telling their parents,” she said.
A Familiar, Dangerous Pattern
For many Iranians, this feels painfully familiar.
The protests recall the 2022 unrest after Mahsa Amini’s death in custody. Back then, hundreds were killed. Thousands were detained.
They also echo 2009, when millions protested disputed election results — and paid a heavy price.
Iran’s leaders have sent mixed messages. The president has urged restraint. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said protesters should be heard — but warned that order must be enforced.
Outside Iran, warnings have grown sharper. US officials have said further killings could lead to consequences.
What Happens Next Is Unclear
Right now, nothing feels settled.
The protests continue.
The internet flickers on and off.
The streets remain tense.
What began as economic anger has turned into something deeper — a question about dignity, control, and how much more people are willing to endure.
For now, Iranians are still showing up.
Still chanting.
Still risking everything.
Also Read: Trump issues warning to Iran over possible execution of protesters
Related: Trump says Iran has ‘no plan’ to execute protesters
FAQ's
Q1. Why are anti-government protests happening in Iran?
The protests began after Iran’s currency collapsed further, making daily life unaffordable for many people. Anger quickly spread beyond economics.
Q2. Which cities are seeing the largest protests?
Tehran and Mashhad have seen major demonstrations, but protests have reached more than 100 cities across Iran.
Q3. Why did Iran shut down the internet?
Internet restrictions appear aimed at slowing the spread of protest videos and limiting communication during unrest.
Q4. Have there been deaths during the protests?
Yes. Human rights groups report dozens of protesters killed and thousands arrested during clashes with security forces.
Q5. What happens next in Iran?
That remains unclear. Protests continue, tensions remain high, and authorities face growing pressure at home and abroad.
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