Iranian Government Orders Shutdown Amid Protests
This week, Iranian officials announced a shutdown of government operations in response to widespread riots and protests stemming from the country’s worsening economic and political climate.
Various entities—including companies, universities, and government offices—closed their doors. Reports indicated that one-day visits were made across 21 states.
Video clips circulating online, shared by the Iranian People’s Mojahedin Organization (MEK), showcased violent confrontations between demonstrators and security forces in cities like Shiraz, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Tehran.
Protestors were reportedly chanting “Death to Khamenei!” in reference to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.
Protests intensified on Tuesday, coinciding with the rial reaching a historic low against the US dollar and inflation hitting new highs. At the time of the central bank governor’s appointment in 2022, the rial was valued at 430,000 to the dollar. Although Farzin resigned on Monday, the unrest appears ongoing.
Many shop owners closed their businesses in reaction to the deteriorating currency and steep inflation. General inflation rose by 1.8 percentage points to 42.4 percent in December, while food inflation escalated dramatically to 72 percent last month. There are also plans for a significant tax hike in March, marking the Iranian new year.
Voices from university students in Tehran could be heard chanting “Death to the dictator!”
In an update from early Thursday, Iranian officials reported that a member of the volunteer Revolutionary Guards was killed during the protests—marking the first death among security forces linked to the ongoing turmoil.
During an interview earlier today, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian noted that without addressing the people’s issues, the country would face dire consequences. He emphasized the need to support individuals, social groups, business owners, and government initiatives.
Further, Pezeshkian claimed that Iran is essentially at war with the United States, Europe, and Israel, echoing sentiments from General Hossein Salami of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who warned that the West would face retribution from a victorious Iranian regime.
