Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Jan 10: Iran has once again witnessed fresh waves of protests, reflecting growing public anger over economic hardship, political disillusionment and long-standing governance issues, even as the authorities warned of strict action against what they termed “rioting and foreign-backed elements”.

In recent years, Iran has seen a recurring pattern of nationwide protests triggered by economic stagnation, chronic mismanagement, corruption and the impact of international sanctions. While such uprisings have at times brought visible social change — notably during the 2022 protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police — they have often been met with heavy crackdowns, forcing protesters off the streets.

Addressing the latest unrest on Friday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, acknowledged the economic grievances driving public anger but drew a sharp distinction between what he described as legitimate protest and acts of violence by “mercenaries”. He warned that disorder would be met with a firm response.

Observers say the current protests come amid significantly altered political and geopolitical circumstances. These are the first major demonstrations since the recent 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, which drew in the United States and resulted in substantial damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities. The conflict is widely seen as having weakened Iran’s deterrence capabilities and exposed vulnerabilities within the ruling establishment.

In the aftermath of the war, many Iranians had hoped the government would use the surge of nationalist sentiment to initiate reforms and redefine its relationship with the public. However, critics say the authorities reverted to previous methods of suppressing dissent, widening the gap between the state and society.

Adding a new dimension to the protests is the growing visibility of exiled opposition leader Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last monarch. Chants supporting the former royal family have been reported in Tehran and other cities, marking a shift from purely economic demands to explicit political challenges to the Islamic Republic.

On Thursday, demonstrators in several cities were heard chanting slogans such as “Long live the Shah” and “This is the last battle, Pahlavi will return”. Reza Pahlavi, who has called on Iranians to continue protesting, thanked demonstrators for their courage and urged them to maintain momentum.

While analysts note that the movement has not yet reached the scale of the 2022 protests or the 2009 Green Movement, the emergence of monarchist slogans is seen as a notable development in Iran’s protest landscape.

Meanwhile, international attention remains focused on Tehran’s response. US President Donald Trump has warned Iran against using violent repression, remarks that Iranian leaders have dismissed as interference in internal affairs. However, recent global developments have raised concerns within Iran over how Washington might react if the authorities resort to force.

For many Iranians at home and abroad, the latest unrest represents another turbulent chapter in the country’s recent history. With shifting regional dynamics and renewed global scrutiny, analysts say the outcome of the current protests remains uncertain.