Protests across Iran, initially sparked by economic hardships, have now spread nationwide, reaching both rural towns and major cities. Activists report that demonstrations have intensified, with at least 38 people killed and over 2,200 detained so far. Despite the scale of unrest, Iranian authorities have not yet imposed a full internet shutdown or deployed massive security forces, as seen in previous crackdowns. The protests remain largely leaderless, though calls to action from exiled figures like Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi are testing the influence of outside voices.

Violence has erupted in several areas, with security officials among the casualties, while merchants in regions like Kurdistan have closed their shops in solidarity. The government has largely downplayed the demonstrations, focusing on incidents involving security forces. International responses, including statements from foreign leaders, have drawn sharp rebukes from Iranian officials, who accuse outside powers of interference. The protests reflect ongoing dissatisfaction with the country's theocracy and economic instability, echoing previous waves of unrest.