Tehran: Over the past 50 years, Iran has experienced a series of significant protests that have shaped the country’s political and social landscape. From the 1979 Islamic Revolution to the recent rial protests, these demonstrations have been driven by demands for political change, economic relief, and social justice.

According to United News of Bangladesh, the 1979 Islamic Revolution marked a turning point in Iran’s history. Protests led by students, oil workers, and others demanding political freedoms culminated in the overthrow of the autocratic Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The revolution, led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, established a hard-line Shiite theocracy. The subsequent Iran-Iraq war and government crackdowns curbed mass demonstrations for years.

In 1999, the killing of activists and intellectuals, known as the ‘chain murders,’ ignited protests at Tehran University. A security force crackdown on campus led to further demonstrations, resulting in at least three deaths and the detention of 1,200 people. A decade later, in 2009, the Green Movement emerged as millions protested allegations of a rigged presidential election victory for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The government’s response was severe, with dozens killed and thousands arrested.

The economic hardships of 2017-2018, including rising food prices and cuts to cash handouts, sparked protests that began in Mashhad. The unrest resulted in over 20 deaths and hundreds of arrests. In 2019, protests erupted again following a government announcement of increased gasoline prices, leading to widespread property damage and over 300 reported deaths.

In 2022, the death of Mahsa Amini, following her arrest by the morality police, triggered protests against the compulsory hijab. Despite a violent crackdown that resulted in over 500 deaths and more than 22,000 detentions, many women continue to defy the hijab mandate. Most recently, in 2025-26, the collapse of Iran’s rial currency amid tightening sanctions and a conflict with Israel spurred protests, prompting the government to shut down internet and telephone networks.

These events underscore the persistent undercurrents of dissent within Iran, driven by a populace seeking political reform, economic stability, and social freedoms.