Demonstrations expanded throughout Iran on Tuesday following expressions of support from President and other administration officials. In comments made Monday, Trump highlighted Iran’s economic deterioration and persistent public dissatisfaction, though he refrained from explicitly demanding regime change.
, the protests marked their third straight day, moving beyond Tehran’s commercial district. The exiled opposition group National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) reported extensive strikes and student demonstrations throughout Tehran and several provincial centers, noting confrontations with security personnel and slogans against the government. Footage acquired by the NCRI reportedly depicts demonstrators repelling security forces, compelling them to withdraw from Tehran’s Jomhouri Street.
According to Iran International, universities became key centers of protest activity, with gatherings at Tehran University, Sharif University of Technology, Shahid Beheshti University, Elm-o-Sanat University, and Khajeh Nasir University. Authorities increased security at campus entrances and bolstered protection for facilities associated with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Work stoppages extended through Tehran’s Shoush and Molavi neighborhoods and reached Isfahan’s Naqsh-e Jahan Square, while sections of Tehran’s Grand Bazaar and gold market ceased operations. Mobile phone vendors assembled outside major retail complexes after shuttering their shops. Several protest sites saw violence erupt, with tear gas deployed in Tehran and Malard and unconfirmed reports of gunfire in Hamadan. Evening demonstrations were documented from southern Qeshm Island to northern Zanjan and Hamadan, with footage capturing protesters shouting “death to the dictator.”
During a Monday press briefing at Mar-a-Lago, Trump stated he would “not talk about overthrow of a regime,” choosing instead to emphasize Iran’s worsening economic conditions and the government’s forceful reaction to demonstrations. “They’ve got tremendous inflation. Their economy is busted, the economy is no good,” Trump remarked.
He stated that whenever Iranians assemble in protest, authorities respond with deadly force.
“Every time they have a riot or somebody forms a group, little or big, they start shooting people,” Trump said. “You know, they kill people. All of a sudden people start getting shot and that group disbanded pretty quickly.”
Trump indicated he has observed the growing unrest for years, characterizing Iran’s leadership as brutal.
“I’ve watched this for years — there is tremendous discontent,” he said. “I’ve watched it for years, and vicious, vicious people.” His comments coincided with escalating protests following the Iranian currency’s plunge to record lows. The rial dropped to approximately 1.45 million per U.S. dollar on the unofficial market, sparking strikes and protests focused on Tehran’s Grand Bazaar that extended to other major urban centers, per Iran International’s live coverage. Video footage and witness reports depicted substantial security presence and tear gas usage as disturbances broadened.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz delivered a clear message of solidarity. “The people of Iran want freedom,” Waltz posted on X. “We stand with Iranians in the streets of Tehran and across the country as they protest a radical regime that has brought them nothing but economic downturn and war.”
A separate statement from the U.S. government’s Persian-language Twitter account, @USAbehFarsi, affirmed Washington’s support for Iranians’ attempts “to make their voices heard,” calling on the Islamic Republic to uphold basic rights instead of quashing demonstrations.
Iranian authorities acknowledged the disturbances while defending their handling of the situation. Reuters cited government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani stating that Tehran recognizes the right to protest and would establish a system for dialogue with demonstration organizers. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian instructed his interior minister to respond to the “legitimate demands” of protesters and communicate with their delegates.
Independent experts cautioned that the turmoil indicates deeper systemic pressures. The OSINT research organization SpecialEurasia indicated in a Tuesday assessment that Iran’s internal stability has reached a “critical threshold,” referencing the convergence of , renewed international sanctions, and persistent water and energy deficits. The organization observed that involvement by bazaar traders, historically a foundation of regime backing, suggests waning trust in official economic stewardship and increases the likelihood of extended disturbances.
NCRI head Maryam Rajavi stated that the demonstrations express the fury of “tens of millions” pushed to their limit by inflation, graft, and religious governance. The NCRI’s assertions represent opposition-sourced reports that cannot be independently confirmed because of limited access within Iran.
Cameron Khansarinia, vice president of the National Union for Democracy in Iran, said the recent protests highlight an evolving public mood. “Iranians have once again taken to the streets,” he noted. Referencing President Donald Trump’s comments this week, he added that “each time they do, the regime tries to crush it,” but contended that “Iranians’ desire to be free is increasingly becoming greater than their fear of the regime.” Khansarinia claimed that chants in support of have been growing in the protests, saying the protesters showed “remarkable bravery.”
While demonstrations persist, confirmation of injuries and detentions stays restricted, yet the magnitude and geographic reach of the turmoil highlight increasing strain on Iran’s leadership during economic collapse and rising civic resistance.