Violent protests erupted across Iranian cities in late December over rising living costs, quickly transforming into anti-regime demonstrations against ayatollahs and the Revolutionary Guards.
Protests Erupt Over Economic Grievances
At the end of last December, very violently suppressed protests broke out in Iranian cities, triggered by rising living costs. Initially appearing as socio-economic discontent, the demonstrations rapidly escalated.
Political Shift: Symbols of Opposition
Despite the presence of numerous opposition groups, protesters most readily gathered around monarchist symbols and liberal rhetoric. The question arises: does this symbolic unity translate into a real capacity to change the regime, or is it merely a temporary reaction to economic pressure?
