The country\u2019s economy, battered by decades of Western sanctions, has been under further strain since late September, when the United Nations reinstated international sanctions that had been lifted 10 years ago, linked to the country\u2019s nuclear programme.<\/p>\n
Inflation stands at about 50 percent, while the depreciating currency has forced up import prices, adding further pressure to living costs.<\/p>\n
Responding to the growing protests, a government spokesperson said earlier the government will listen to the concerns of the demonstrators.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government will listen patiently even if there are harsh voices because we believe our people are patient enough, and when their voices are raised the pressure that is being put on them is high,\u201d Fatemeh Mohajerani said at a news conference in Tehran.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government\u2019s job is to hear the voices and help them reach a common understanding to solve the problems that exist in society.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the government recognised the right to peaceful assembly. \u201cWe see, hear, and recognise officially all the protests, the difficulties, and the crises.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"epa12541557](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/epa_692476fbd021-1763997435.jpg\")
An Iranian man rides a scooter in the capital Tehran [File: Abedin Taherkenareh\/EPA]Fears of escalation<\/p>\n
Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera\u2019s Tohid Asadi said the government is sending mixed messages over the protesters\u2019 concerns.<\/p>\n
On the one hand, he said, Pezeshkian has expressed his sympathy for the economic hardships faced by many, while the government had already taken action in replacing the head of the central bank on Monday.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, he said, there are serious concerns for the state about the possibility of \u201cescalation\u201d by the protesters.<\/p>\n
He said while economic challenges are the biggest concern for most Iranians, the shadow of a renewed conflict with Israel and the US loomed large for many, adding \u201ca huge burden upon the shoulders of ordinary citizens\u201d.<\/p>\n
But their \u201cnumber one priority\u201d, he said, is the improvement of the economic situation \u201cparticularly with respect to the increasing prices that they see\u201d.<\/p>\n
Low public faith in government<\/p>\n
Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, said the Iranian public did not have faith in the government\u2019s ability to address the economic problems.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe president himself came out about a week or so ago and said that he can\u2019t do anything about these problems,\u201d he told Al Jazeera.<\/p>\n
\u201cMuch of the lack of faith in the government\u2019s ability to address these problems is actually because of statements by the government itself.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the big question now was whether the protests would gather momentum and evolve into a broader channelling of public anger over issues other than the country\u2019s economic problems.<\/p>\n
\u201cProtests at times can start based on economic grievances, which is the case here, but quickly morph into other demands,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Multiple challenges<\/p>\n
Iran\u2019s economic problems are severe, but they are far from the only challenges. The country is also dealing with an energy crisis, while most dams feeding Tehran and many other big cities remain at near-empty levels amid a severe water crisis.<\/p>\n
Iranian state media reporting on the protests has emphasised that they are motivated by the unchecked depreciation of the rial, rather than wider disenchantment with the theocratic establishment that has been ruling the country since the 1979 revolution.<\/p>\n
Iran last saw nationwide protests in 2022 and 2023, with thousands pouring into the streets across the country after the death in police custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini for alleged noncompliance with strict Islamic laws regarding headscarves.<\/p>\n