Many people are protesting in Iran against the government. These protests started in December. The main reason was that the country's money lost value. Now, people are also angry about economic problems. They want more freedom. The protests are happening in over fifty cities. This is the biggest challenge for the government since 2022.
The value of the Iranian rial has dropped a lot. This has made people angrier about their lives. The government tried to help the economy. However, these attempts did not work well. Many people feel disappointed with the situation.
There have been clashes between protesters and police. In Tehran and other cities, shop owners have closed their stores. They are joining the protests. The police are using force to stop the demonstrations. They use weapons, sticks, and tear gas. Helicopters have been seen over the protest areas.
Security forces reportedly entered a hospital in Ilam. They are accused of arresting people there. Amnesty International said this shows the government will use harsh methods. Reports also say some people have died.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said protesters must be stopped. But some protesters are not afraid. One protester said, "Execute me if you want." Experts believe that economic problems affect everyone. Even people who usually support the government are struggling. These protests are a big test for Iran's leaders.