Protests have spread across several universities in Iran as students and market traders take to the streets to denounce the country’s rapidly rising cost of living. In response to the growing unrest, the Iranian government has offered dialogue with demonstrators in an effort to defuse tensions.
The development was disclosed late Monday night through a social media post by President Masoud Pezeshkian, in which he directed the Interior Minister to listen to what he described as the protesters’ “legitimate demands.”
On Tuesday, President Pezeshkian also held meetings with representatives of trade unions and market associations, assuring them that the government would make every possible effort to address their grievances and ease their concerns.
Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said in a statement aired on state media on Tuesday that preparations were underway to engage in talks with protest leaders.
“We are officially recognizing these protests,” she said. “We understand that they stem from the increasing pressure on people’s livelihoods.”
However, the government has yet to clarify the mechanism through which dialogue with protest leaders will take place.
On Monday, crowds were seen gathering in central Tehran, chanting slogans against economic hardships. According to the semi-official Fars News Agency, hundreds of students joined protests at four universities in Tehran on Tuesday.
Support for the protests has also surged on social media. One user, Soroush Dadkhah, wrote that soaring inflation and corruption have pushed people toward the brink of mass mobilization. Another user, Masoud Ghasemi, warned that the protests could spread nationwide.
Iran’s inflation rate climbed to 42.5 percent in December, while the national currency, the rial, has lost nearly half of its value against the US dollar in 2025. The economy has further come under strain from ongoing US sanctions and fears of a potential Israeli military strike.
Observers say this is the largest wave of protests in Iran since the Israeli and US strikes in June.
Source: Geo News