Iran is witnessing a surge in protests, particularly among university students, as citizens express their frustrations over soaring living costs and economic mismanagement. Responding to these protests, President Masoud Pezeshkian praised the protests at a meeting held last week. He reacted by saying he was prepared to hear the legitimate grievances of the protesters. Unrest has erupted across the region over the past week. Iranians are calling on their government to do more to tackle the economic crisis that has severely affected many Iranians.
Throughout Iran, protesters from all aspects of society have surged into the streets. Whether students, shopkeepers or bazaar merchants, all of them are on the street demanding tangible and result-oriented governmental actions. Thousands of protesters in the capital, central Tehran, chanted anti-government slogans over its handling of the economy. Iranian state television filmed the dramatic standoff. Enforcement actions have approached a tipping point. Observers say public anger is “at the boiling point,” emphasizing the brewing resentment just beneath the surface of the population.
Government’s Response to Protests
Following the outbreak of protests, President Pezeshkian responded. He ordered the interior minister to engage with the protesters and get a better sense of what is troubling them. Most of all, he put a premium on conversation. At the same time, he called for a mechanism to help local officials begin dialogue with leaders of protest activity. This would be a dramatic departure for the administration. In recent years, it quashed opposition and protests against its economic crisis, severe drought, women’s rights abuses and violations of political freedoms.
Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani confirmed that the administration would continue to listen to public grievances. She said, “We have given official recognition of the protests and we hear the protests voices and we know that this comes from the natural pressures that are impacting the people’s livelihoods.” This impressive admission of reality indicates an intention to engage with a disgruntled public far more frankly than in previous cases.
Economic Context of the Protests
The economic backdrop to these protests is indeed dire. The Iranian rial has plummeted to record low of 1.4 million rials per US dollar. Just in 2025, it has already lost close to half of its value against the dollar. The country is now staring down an equal and opposite challenge with accelerating rates of inflation. In December, they jumped to 42.5 percent, and with the Iranian new year beginning in late March, monthly annualized figures have remained above 36.4 percent.
The sharp economic upheaval is aggravated by the chilling effect of state’s recent economic liberalization efforts. These changes have created even further pressure on the foreign rial market. These measures have proved unsatisfactory by failing to regain fiscal control and prevent hyperinflation or raise living standards of ordinary Iranians. Just this past Monday, Iran’s central bank chief announced his resignation. This deepened the damage to confidence in the government’s economic competence.
A Call for Action
The protests do represent a watershed moment for Iran’s theocratic leadership. Citizens are pushing politicians to be held accountable and deliver credible solutions to their economic pain. In a meeting with trade unions and market activists, President Pezeshkian assured attendees that the government would do its best to resolve their issues and address their worries. Doubters are still plentiful, with many believing that previous pledges have failed to materialize into real-world benefits.
From campus to campus and city to city, protests practicing solidarity and vocalizing anger are erupting. Many observers now await the Iranian government’s response to an unprecedented tide of dissent. Dialogue has the power to address many decades-old injustices. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain whether this will lead to profound transformation or just serve as a band-aid to quell the uprising.
