Protests and strikes in Iran against inflation and currency devaluation have spread from the capital, Tehran, to several other cities in a third day of unrest.
The protests began on Sunday after traders in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar staged a strike when the Iranian rial hit a record low against the US dollar in the open market.
Since then, videos verified by the Persian BBC show protests in the cities of Karaj, Hamedan, Qeshm, Malard, Isfahan, Kermanshah, Shiraz and Yazd. Police were also seen using tear gas to try to disperse protesters.
The Iranian government said it “recognizes the protests” and would listen “with patience, even if faced with harsh voices.”
President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on Monday evening on
He also accepted the resignation of Iran’s central bank governor, Mohammadreza Farzin, and named former economy and finance minister Abdolnasser Hemmati to replace him.
University students also joined the protests, chanting anti-government slogans, including “Death to the dictator” – a reference to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate power in Iran.
Some protesters were also heard chanting slogans in support of the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s son, who was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution, including “Long live Shah.”
In response, Reza Pahlavi, who lives in exile in the United States, wrote on X: “I am with you. Victory is ours because our cause is just and because we are united.”
“As long as this regime remains in power, the country’s economic situation will continue to deteriorate,” he added.
The US State Department’s Persian-language account on X also expressed support for the protests.
The United States “praises its courage” and stands with those seeking “dignity and a better future” after years of failed policies and economic mismanagement.
Iran was reportedly at the top of the agenda for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida on Monday.
In a subsequent joint news conference, Trump declined to say whether he supported regime change in Iran, but said: “They have a lot of problems: huge inflation, their economy is bankrupt, their economy is not doing well, and I know the people are not that happy.” »
The president also said he could support a new round of Israeli airstrikes against Iran if the country rebuilds its ballistic missile or nuclear programs.
“If they continue with the missiles, yes. Nuclear, quickly, ok? One will be absolutely yes. The other is we will do it immediately.”
During a 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June, the United States carried out airstrikes on key Iranian uranium enrichment sites. Iran insists its nuclear program is entirely peaceful.
President Pezeshkian vowed Tuesday that Iran’s response to “any oppressive act of aggression” would be “severe and regrettable.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader has repeatedly stated that the Israeli government hopes that massive protests will break out in Iran during the war and overthrow the regime.
“They wanted to create sedition in the streets… But people were absolutely not influenced by what the enemy wanted,” Khamenei said in September.
