Overview
- Khamenei made his first public remarks on the unrest, calling protesters with 'rioter' behavior illegitimate and saying they must be 'put in their place.'
- Demonstrations began on December 28 after a sharp rial devaluation and surging prices, drawing students, shopkeepers, and bazaar traders across multiple cities.
- At least 12 people have been reported dead, including members of the security forces, with clashes documented in several Tehran districts and other regions.
- Rights groups report hundreds of detentions, and internet access has been curbed nationwide, with data traffic down about 35% according to Cloudflare.
- President Donald Trump voiced support for the protesters and warned of possible U.S. action, prompting Tehran to lodge a complaint at the UN over what it called illegal threats and interference.