Iran Rial Collapse Protests: Protesters Storm Government Building as Unrest Spreads

A currency in freefall has pushed the Iranian public to the breaking point. Protesters in Iran attempted to storm a local government office on the fourth day of demonstrations triggered by a dramatic collapse of the national currency.

Iran Rial Collapse Protests Spark Local Unrest

In the city of Fasa, located in the southern Fars province, footage verified by the BBC showed crowds breaking the gate of the governor's office. Security forces responded with gunfire and tear gas as shops remained shuttered. Officials reported that three police officers were injured and four people were arrested during the clashes.

The unrest began in Tehran on Sunday, fueled by shopkeepers angry over the rial's sharp decline against the US dollar. Since then, the movement has spread to Hamedan and Lorestan provinces, with university students joining in to chant slogans against the country's clerical leadership.

Tehran's Sudden Holiday and the Threat of Force

The Iranian government declared Wednesday a bank holiday, officially citing energy conservation due to cold weather. However, many citizens view it as a tactical move to clear the streets and prevent further gatherings. While President Masoud Pezeshkian promised to listen to "legitimate demands," the judiciary has taken a harder line.

Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad warned that any attempt to create instability would face a "decisive response." This wave of protests is considered the most widespread since the 2022 uprising following the death of Mahsa Amini, though the current scale hasn't yet reached those historic levels.