Protests against the Iranian regime have entered their 15thday, with the death toll rising to more than 500.
Internet has been shut off since Thursday (local time), as protesters call for the end of the authoritarian regime.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the country’s military is looking at “very strong options.”
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said: “The Iranian people will not tolerate the hirelings of foreign powers.”
Political context
In 1978, the Iranian population staged a year-long uprising, deposing the U.S-backed Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. This is known as the Iranian Revolution.
Since 1979, the country has been an Islamic Republic with a Supreme Leader.
Ayatollah Khomeini was the Supreme Leader until his 1989 death, imposing laws based on a conservative interpretation of Islamic teachings, and opposing the ‘westernisation’ of Iran.
The current Supreme Leader isAyatollah Ali Khamenei, whooversees most decision-making.
Under Khamenei is a President, though the position has limited powers.
Masoud Pezeshkian won the 2024 election, called after then-President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash.
Presidential candidates are subject to a vetting process by a council ofpowerful legal scholars. The BBC reported this council removed 74 candidates from the race in 2024.
Protests
Demonstrations began on 28 December, when shopkeepers in Tehran began protesting after the rial (Iran’s currency) hit an all-time low against the U.S. dollar.
A day later, the head of the Central Bank of Iran resigned.
Last week, The Guardian reported that inflation in Iran reached 52.6% in December. Australia’s inflation rate was 3.4% in the year to November.
Protests have escalated over the past two weeks, expanding to 186 cities, covering every province in Iran.
Human Rights Activists News Agency reported on Sunday that the number of protesters arrested over the 15-day period of demonstrations has surpassed 10,000.
It recorded the deaths of 483 protesters, 47 members of the military and enforcement forces, and eight children.
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Protesters have been reportedly chanting “Death to Khamenei”, along with messages of support for the former monarchy (the Shah).
Comments
From exile, Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah of Iran, encouraged protesters.
In a statement, he said: “Take to thestreets and, as one united front, shoutyour demands.”
Pahlavi describes himself as an “advocate for a secular [non-religious] democratic Iran”.
He directed a message to the Iranian regime that “the world and the President of the United States are closely watching you.”
U.S. threats
In a post to Truth Social on 11 January, Trump said: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”
Aboard his presidential plane, Air Force One, Trump told media: “The military is... looking at some very strong options.”
“[Protesters] are trying to get somebody to help them,” he said.
Iranian response
In a post to X, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei accused “people bent on destruction” of property damage “in order to please the President of the U.S.”
President Pezeshkian said in a TV interview: “Protest is the right of the people and we are obliged to respond to their protests.”
“But unrest and attacks on public places, setting fire to mosques... is clearly a plan by the U.S. and Israel,” Pezeshkian added.
Overseas protests
Protests against the Iranian regime have spread overseas, including in the U.S, UK and Sydney.
Footage has been shared online of a protester in London replacing the current Islamic Republic of Iran flag at the country’s embassy with the pre-Iranian Revolution flag.
In Los Angeles, multiple media sources reported that a truck drove through a crowd of protesters.
Police said one person sustained minor injuries.
