Anti-government protests in Iran have entered a third week, with demonstrators across Tehran and other cities calling for economic and political reforms. Security forces have intensified their crackdown, and internet and telecommunications services have largely been cut off.
President Masoud Pejaiskian acknowledged that protesters have legitimate grievances, particularly over soaring prices, high inflation, and the devaluation of the rial. At the same time, he condemned violent elements, blaming “rioters” and foreign-backed saboteurs, and accused the United States and Israel of fuelling unrest.
Al Jazeera’s Tawheed Asadi reported from Tehran that while the situation has slightly cooled since last week’s peak, demonstrations continue sporadically across multiple cities. Streets have been blocked, fires set, and some confrontations with security forces remain violent, highlighting ongoing public anger.
Vali Nasser, Professor of International Affairs and Middle East Studies at Johns Hopkins University, joins Al Jazeera from Paris. He said Iran’s leadership genuinely believes foreign powers are exploiting the protests to weaken the Islamic Republic. He explained that the government views the unrest not merely as domestic dissent but as part of a wider US-Israeli strategy, akin to the pressures faced by Iran during past conflicts. Nasser also noted that while the protests are widespread, the government’s internet shutdown limits coordination, and it remains uncertain whether demonstrators can sustain pressure enough to overwhelm security forces. He argued that Iran’s leadership does not see a Venezuela-style regime change as likely, but fears targeted strikes or destabilisation could force concessions on nuclear and missile issues. According to Nasser, the current protests place the regime in a position of survival, with little room to negotiate on sanctions or economic relief in the immediate future.
Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe
Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera
Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/
Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/
Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.io/AJEMobile
#Iran #IranProtests #IranUnrest #IranCurrencyCollapse #IranEconomy #HumanRightsIran #IranEconomicCrisis #IranPoliticalCrisis #USIranTensions #IranSanctions #IranRiots
