Unveiling the Iranian Protests: A Journey from Local Outbursts to a National Movement
The recent anti-government protests in Iran have captured global attention, with verified footage shedding light on their evolution from localized protests to a widespread national movement. Despite the Iranian regime's tight grip on information, ABC NEWS Verify has pieced together a narrative of the protests' growth and the authorities' response.
The Spark and Early Protests
The unrest ignited in late December 2025, starting with small-scale protests by sugar and petrol refinery workers, as well as gold miners outside Tehran. On December 29th, the movement reached the capital, as mobile phone store workers at the Alaeddin market staged an organized strike. This was followed by a mass walkout in the gold markets on Lalehzar Street, marking the earliest video footage obtained by ABC NEWS Verify within Tehran.
The Rapid Spread
As tensions escalated, merchants in Shiraz and Hamedan called for city-wide strikes, mirroring the actions in Tehran. The Iranian rial plummeted to a historic low of 144,000 tomans per US Dollar by December 29th. Videos from Qeshm, the largest island in the Persian Gulf, showed workers from the Dargahan old bazaar marching, with a fire lit in the streets. By the third day, the protests had spread to university students, with multiple schools joining the cause.
The Growing Repression
The Iranian authorities responded with a severe crackdown, deploying riot police and tear gas to disperse crowds. By day 11, the protests had reached 111 cities and all 31 provinces. As of January 7th, over 40 people, including children, had reportedly been killed across several provinces, with the total number of deaths rising to over 500. However, ABC NEWS Verify has been unable to independently verify this figure, as Iran does not publish an official death toll.
The Human Cost
HRANA estimated 250 bodies were visible in videos recorded near the Behesht Zahra Cemetery, raising concerns about the true death toll. The repression intensified, with reports of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members joining protesters in Abdanan, and the deployment of tear gas and water cannons by riot police as early as day two.
Challenges in Information Gathering
The ongoing internet shutdown and heightened repression make it challenging to obtain clear and verified information from inside Iran. As the protests continue, the regime's tight control over communication may lead to a scarcity of images and reports, leaving the world with limited insight into the unfolding events.
