Money, or the lack thereof, tends to kick off most disruptions in society and often leads to chaos. There are countless examples of such events throughout history. Currently Iranians are making history with their record-long protests in the country.
Starting around the late end of last month, December 28th marked the first official day people took to the streets to express their outrage. However, outrage quickly turned to fear when the Iranian government began to take action to suppress the movement.
Today, 1.42 million Iranian rials amounts to a single US dollar, a record low for Iran. Compare that to the first year where the rial dropped in value, 2011, when 11,800 Iranian rials went for one US dollar. That means it lost two-thirds of its value in 2011—it’s clear why money has been such a big issue.
The economy in Iran has always been an area of contention since the Islamic republic was established in 1979. In the past decade, Iranian rial inflation has remained above 40% annually. Massive inflation has led to shopkeepers taking to the streets to protest. Hundreds of thousands of people followed in their wake.
The Iranian government announced a plan on Jan. 5th to provide most citizens with a monthly payment that’s equivalent to $7 U.S. dollars. But this has done little to smooth over the economic unrest felt in the country.
Government officials responded by stationing anti-riot police officers in the streets. These anti-riot police officers had heavy body armor and helmets while carrying batons, shields, shotguns, and tear gas launchers, according to PBS witnesses.
More than 16,700 people have been detained.
The protests in Iran have led to tragedy and devastation across the nation. Iranian authorities, in an effort to continue their suppression of the situation, shut down the country’s internet, international phone lines, and even some local mobile phone connections on Jan. 8th. This has made it harder for outside press to report on the situation.
With the increasing number of protestors in the streets, the casualties are constantly rising. U.S.-based activist group Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) says more than 3000 people have been killed during the protest. They expect that number will continue to rise.
CBS has wildly claimed over 12,000 people have shown up deceased: “With phone lines opening back up for calls from inside the Islamic Republic, two sources, including one inside Iran, told CBS News on Tuesday that at least 12,000, and possibly as many as 20,000, people have been killed.”
However, activist group Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) also believes it’s hard to verify these claims due to the severe restrictions in the country right now.
Though the Iranian government hasn’t denied this death toll, they’ve instead attempted to portray the dead as victims of violent rioters.
Multiple news outlets reported videos and images on social media have been circulating depicting tons of body bags lined up in front of morgues and hospitals for families of victims to identify.
New York Times eyewitnesses report the anti-riot police officers beginning to open fire indiscriminately with automatic weapons. Iranian medical staff have noticed the shift in injuries from pellets to full gunshot wounds and fractures.
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to intervene if the Iranian government continues its poor handling of the situation.
President Trump posted on Truth Social, writing, “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY”.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, responded, saying, “This was a warning to American politicians to stop their deceit and not rely on traitorous mercenaries,” he said. “The Iranian nation is strong and powerful and aware of the enemy.” In a statement carried out by Iranian state television.
Iranian security official Ali Larijani supported the sentiment by saying, “We declare the names of the main killers of the people of Iran: 1- Trump,” according to POLITICO.
Exiled Iranian prince Reza Pahlavi, who now lives in the U.S., has vocally supported the protests and appears to have gained some significance as an opposition figure to supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
State TV on Monday also aired chants from the crowd, which appeared to number in the tens of thousands. They chanted “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!” Others cried out, “Death to the enemies of God!” Iran’s attorney general has warned that anyone taking part in protests will be considered an “enemy of God,” a death-penalty charge.
The bleak situation is reminiscent of the 1979 Iranian revolution, when Iran had its regime change to the current Islamic Republic. Once again people believe Iran may have to undergo another regime change, as many are unhappy with the current state of the country. However, under their theocratic rule, it may be hard for Iranians to roll over Ali Khamenei in favor of a new path.
