Beginning in late December 2025 and continuing into January 2026, Iran has experienced a significant wave of nationwide demonstrations triggered by an acute economic crisis. The unrest, initially sparked by a record drop in the Iranian rial (reaching approximately 1.45 million to the US dollar) and soaring inflation, began with strikes by merchants in Tehran's Grand Bazaar—a historically significant economic sector. The demonstrations have since expanded geographically to over 70 cities and demographically to include students and workers. While the initial grievances were financial, video evidence and witness reports indicate a shift toward political demands. The government has responded with a combination of security crackdowns, including arrests and the use of crowd-control munitions, and administrative measures such as declaring holidays for 'energy savings' to reduce public gatherings.