Overview
- Demonstrations spread from Tehran’s Grand Bazaar to Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad and multiple university campuses, with reports of protests at several Tehran institutions and sites in Isfahan, Yazd and Zanjan.
- Private exchange platforms showed the rial near 1.38–1.42 million per US dollar this week, a record low after starting the year around 817,500.
- Central Bank Governor Mohammad‑Reza Farzin resigned on Monday, and state media said Abdolnaser Hemmati was appointed to replace him.
- President Masoud Pezeshkian told the interior minister to meet protest representatives, and a government spokesperson said a formal dialogue mechanism would be created.
- Security forces used tear gas and arrests were reported, as official data showed inflation around 42–43% in December with food prices up as much as 72%, alongside public concern over tax hikes and recent fuel price changes.