Fresh clashes have erupted between protesters and security forces across Iran, as demonstrations over rising living costs entered their second week on Sunday.
At least 12 people have died since the unrest began on December 28, according to official figures. The toll includes both civilians and members of the security forces. Protests first broke out after shopkeepers launched a strike in Tehran, which later spread to other regions.
Overnight, demonstrators took to the streets in Tehran, Shiraz, and several western areas. The Human Rights Activists News Agency reported chants that criticised Iran’s clerical leadership. Protesters voiced anger over economic hardship and political restrictions.
As inflation-driven protests continue in parts of Iran for an eighth day, Iran analyst Sina Toossi reports that the government has launched a major economic reform, shifting key subsidies directly to households while moving toward exchange-rate unification. The stated aim is to… https://t.co/X5JGx2iX47
— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) January 5, 2026These demonstrations mark Iran’s most serious unrest since the 2022–2023 protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. Authorities arrested her for allegedly violating the country’s dress code for women. While the current protests remain smaller, they show renewed public frustration.
Read: Trump Warns Iran Over Crackdown as Protests Turn Violent Across Provinces
Western regions with large Kurdish and Lor populations have seen the strongest mobilisation. The movement has not matched the scale of the 2009 post-election protests. Still, its rapid spread has raised concerns among leadership.
The unrest poses a fresh challenge for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has ruled since 1989. It comes shortly after a brief conflict with Israel that damaged nuclear facilities and killed senior security officials.
Economic pressure has also intensified scrutiny of President Masoud Pezeshkian’s government. On Sunday, spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani announced a temporary monthly allowance of about $7 for citizens over the next four months.
According to an Agence France-Presse review of official statements and media reports, protests have occurred in 23 of Iran’s 31 provinces. At least 40 cities have reported unrest, most of them small to mid-sized.
