Hey everyone, Summer here.

Today we're talking about something serious happening right now—protests in Iran that have been going on for almost two weeks. This is a major story that's unfolding in real-time, and I think it's important to understand what's happening and why it matters.

I want to be clear upfront: this is a complex situation involving real people facing real danger. I'm going to do my best to explain what's going on based on current reporting, but this is a developing story and things are changing rapidly.

Let's talk about what's happening in Iran.

PART ONE: WHAT'S HAPPENING - THE BASICS 

The protests in Iran started at the end of December 2025—specifically around December 28th—in Tehran's Grand Bazaar. This is the historic commercial center of Iran's capital city.

How It Started - Economic Crisis

The initial spark was economic. Iran's currency, the rial, has been in free fall. To give you perspective: the rial is now trading at over 1.4 million to one U.S. dollar. That's catastrophic currency devaluation.

Inflation in Iran has exceeded 42 percent. Basic necessities—rice, meat, pasta, everyday food items—have become unaffordable for ordinary Iranians. Shopkeepers in the Grand Bazaar closed their businesses in protest over these economic conditions.

Think about that: merchants who depend on being open for business shutting down because the economic situation has become untenable. That's how bad things have gotten.

How It's Evolved - Beyond Economics

What started as economic protests has evolved into something much broader. The demonstrations have spread to over 130 cities across all 31 of Iran's provinces. People aren't just protesting prices anymore—they're chanting slogans against the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and calling for broader political change.

Some protesters have been chanting support for the late Shah—Iran's monarch who was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. That's significant because expressing support for the monarchy can carry serious consequences in Iran.

The Government Response - Crackdown

The Iranian government's response has been severe. According to human rights organizations:

• At least 50-60 people have been killed (numbers vary by source, but all report significant casualties)
• Over 2,000 people have been arrested
• Security forces have used live ammunition, tear gas, water cannons, and beatings against largely peaceful protesters
• The government shut down internet access across the country on Thursday, cutting Iran off from the world

That internet blackout is significant. When governments shut down the internet during protests, it's usually to prevent images and videos of violence from getting out and to make it harder for protesters to organize.

PART TWO: THE DEEPER CONTEXT - WHY THIS IS HAPPENING 

To understand these protests, you need to understand the pressures Iran has been under.

Economic Sanctions and Pressure

Iran has been under various U.S. and international sanctions for years, but things intensified in September 2025 when the United Nations reimposed sanctions over Iran's nuclear program. These sanctions make it extremely difficult for Iran to trade internationally, access foreign currency, or maintain economic stability.

The result is the economic collapse we're seeing—massive inflation, currency devaluation, and ordinary people unable to afford basic necessities.

Recent Military Conflict

According to reports, there was a 12-day war in June 2025 between Israel and Iran, during which the United States bombed nuclear sites in Iran. This conflict severely weakened Iran's military infrastructure and its network of regional allies.

Iran's so-called "Axis of Resistance"—a coalition of countries and militant groups that Iran backed—has been significantly weakened since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in 2023.

So Iran is dealing with economic crisis, military setbacks, weakened regional influence, and now massive domestic protests.

Government Framing - Blaming Foreign Interference

The Iranian government, led by Supreme Leader Khamenei, has framed these protests as foreign interference—specifically blaming the United States and Israel for inciting unrest.

Khamenei has said protesters are "mercenaries for foreigners" and are "ruining their own streets to make the president of another country happy," referring to U.S. President Trump.

Iran's top judge warned that protesters are "operating in line" with U.S. and Israel interests and promised no leniency.

Whether you believe foreign powers are involved or not, it's clear that economic hardship and domestic frustration are real factors driving these protests.

PART THREE: INTERNATIONAL DIMENSIONS - TRUMP AND PAHLAVI 

There are some international dimensions to this story that are important to understand.

Trump's Warnings

President Trump has repeatedly warned Iran against killing protesters, saying the U.S. would "come to their rescue" if violence escalates. He's said Iran is in "big trouble" and threatened intervention if the crackdown continues.

Given recent U.S. actions in Venezuela (which we discussed in another context), these threats are being taken seriously by Iran and by observers watching the situation.

The Exiled Prince - Reza Pahlavi

Reza Pahlavi is the son of Iran's last Shah, who was overthrown in 1979. He lives in exile and has been calling on Iranians to take to the streets in coordinated protests.

Pahlavi has asked Trump for help and has positioned himself as a potential leader should the current Iranian government fall. However, Trump has said he won't meet with Pahlavi and that the U.S. should "let everybody go out there and see who emerges" rather than backing a specific successor.

This is significant because it shows the U.S. isn't (at least publicly) backing regime change with a pre-selected leader, even while supporting the protests.

Canada and Others

Other countries have issued statements. Canada's Prime Minister condemned the violence against protesters and expressed solidarity with Iranians demanding freedom and dignity.

The international community is watching closely, but it's unclear what, if any, intervention might happen.

PART FOUR: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? 

So where does this go from here? Honestly, nobody knows.

Possible Outcomes

The Iranian government could successfully suppress the protests through violence and arrests, as it has done in the past. The internet blackout and security crackdown suggest they're trying this approach.

The protests could continue to grow, potentially threatening the stability of the government. Some analysts are comparing this to the 1979 revolution that overthrew the Shah, though it's far too early to say if this reaches that level.

There could be some form of compromise—economic relief, political concessions—that defuses the situation without fundamental change.

External intervention is possible but would be extremely risky and destabilizing for the entire region.

What We're Watching For

• Casualty numbers and whether violence escalates
• Whether the protests sustain momentum despite the crackdown
• Intern...