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Iran's President Urges Calm Amid Protests; Trump Supports

1/9/2026

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Pezeshkian Supports Protests

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian instructed security forces to avoid cracking down on peaceful economic protests.
He differentiated between demonstrators and armed rioters.
The U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed support for the protests.
The Iranian military has responded strongly, labeling external threats as intolerable.
The Iranian foreign ministry accused Trump and Netanyahu of inciting violence.

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Iran Protests Erupt

In January 2026, Iran saw widespread protests sparked by economic collapse, with the rial plummeting and inflation above 52%.
The demonstrations began in Tehran's bazaar and spread to universities and cities, echoing 2022 Mahsa Amini protests.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, acknowledged grievances but attributed the unrest to foreign conspiracies.
Some protesters shifted slogans toward the monarchy.
The government has responded with repression, including violence and arrests.

History

Historical Context

The 1979 Iranian Revolution overthrew Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, establishing the Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. This shift marked the end of Iran's monarchy and initiated a period of economic instability, with inflation peaking at 50% in 1980. Recent protests, echoing the 2022 Mahsa Amini demonstrations, reflect ongoing public discontent with government policies and economic hardship, highlighting a persistent struggle for reform.

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Pezeshkian Supports Protests

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian instructed security forces to avoid cracking down on peaceful economic protests.
He differentiated between demonstrators and armed rioters.
The U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed support for the protests.
The Iranian military has responded strongly, labeling external threats as intolerable.
The Iranian foreign ministry accused Trump and Netanyahu of inciting violence.

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