Overview
- Student rallies broke out at several Tehran campuses and at universities in Isfahan, with reports of a heavy security presence, tear gas and some arrests.
- The open‑market rial traded around 1.38–1.42 million per US dollar as official data showed December inflation above 42% and food prices up about 72% year on year.
- Central bank governor Mohammad‑Reza Farzin resigned and was replaced by former economy minister Abdolnaser Hemmati, state media reported.
- President Masoud Pezeshkian instructed the interior minister to hear protesters’ “legitimate demands,” and government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said a formal dialogue mechanism would be set up.
- Demonstrations that began with bazaar merchants and shop closures in central Tehran spread to cities including Isfahan, Shiraz and Mashhad, and authorities announced a Wednesday shutdown in parts of the country citing cold weather and energy needs.