Protests against the Iranian government have erupted across most of the country's 31 provinces, marking a significant escalation in civil unrest. This movement appears to be larger than the previous "Women, Life, Freedom" uprising of 2022, with demonstrators showing resilience despite facing considerable state repression. Reports indicate that protests have been confirmed in at least 17 provinces, with additional demonstrations occurring in 11 others, although the latter lacked extensive video documentation. Verified footage has emerged from over 50 towns and cities, including Qom and Mashhad, traditionally seen as strongholds of the regime.

The Iranian government has adopted a somewhat restrained approach in its response to the protests, avoiding the severe crackdowns witnessed in previous uprisings, such as those following the 2009 elections and the 2022 protests. However, human rights organizations have documented at least 29 fatalities and over 1,200 arrests, with reports of state-sanctioned violence including the use of pellet guns and tear gas against demonstrators. The regime's cautious response may be influenced by external pressures, including warnings from the U.S. government regarding potential military intervention if peaceful protesters are violently suppressed.

Incidents of violence have been reported, including an attack on protesters in Malekshahi and gunfire directed at a hospital treating injured demonstrators in Ilam. The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has claimed that protesters have effectively taken control of certain cities, with celebrations reported in the streets. Demonstrators have been vocal in their demands for regime change, chanting slogans such as "Death to Khamenei" and expressing support for Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last Shah of Iran.

The Iranian regime's narrative of blaming Western sanctions for its failures is increasingly being challenged, as the quality of life for many Iranians continues to decline despite alliances with countries like China and Russia. Critics argue that the regime's military expenditures and foreign interventions have diverted resources away from addressing domestic issues, exacerbating public discontent.

As protests continue to unfold, the situation remains fluid, with reports indicating that demonstrations and strikes have spread to over 100 cities, including Tehran, Tabriz, and Shiraz. The Iranian authorities have not provided updated official figures on the fatalities and arrests, but the Human Rights Activists News Agency has reported at least 36 fatalities since the protests began. The protests, initially sparked by economic grievances, have expanded into broader calls for political change, with significant participation from Iran's traditional merchant class and workers joining the unrest.