Overview
- Wednesday marked the broadest day of demonstrations so far, with protests reaching rural towns and major cities while daily life largely continued in Tehran.
- The wave began with a Dec. 28 Grand Bazaar shutdown over the rial’s collapse to roughly 1.46–1.47 million per dollar and quickly widened beyond economic grievances.
- President Masoud Pezeshkian’s government announced small direct cash transfers starting Jan. 10, as his deputy said no action should target peaceful protesters, even as security forces used tear gas in multiple cities.
- Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei vowed no leniency for those he says aid Iran’s enemies, and Army chief Amir Hatami warned of a response to U.S. and Israeli backing for protesters.
- Rights groups say western provinces have seen the deadliest clashes, with Hengaw reporting shootings in Ilam and Malekshahi and verified footage showing security entering a hospital compound.