Iran protests gather momentum as authorities crack down

Protests that began after a late-December currency shock have spread across Iran while authorities imposed an internet blackout and increased security operations; rights groups have reported hundreds of deaths and thousands of arrests.

Protests that began as demonstrations by shopkeepers after a sudden currency depreciation on 28 December have expanded into nightly gatherings in multiple cities. Authorities have restricted communications with a nationwide internet blackout and limited calls abroad. Government officials offered varying responses: the president called for dialogue and announced an investigation into alleged abuses, while other officials framed the unrest as influenced by foreign actors. Reported facts: - The demonstrations began on 28 December over a sharp depreciation of the currency and have spread to many cities. - Authorities imposed an internet shutdown and restrictions on overseas calls, limiting independent reporting from inside Iran. - The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported at least 538 deaths and more than 10,600 arrests, and Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch documented dozens of deaths in early January. - President Masoud Pezeshkian called for an investigation into alleged mistreatment by security forces, while other officials defended forceful measures and pointed to foreign involvement. Summary: The protests have continued despite restricted communications and a heightened security response, and human rights groups have reported substantial casualties and large-scale detentions. An investigation into alleged abuses has been announced by the president; the overall scale and full details remain difficult to verify given the communications blackout.