Third Day of Protests in Iran Marked by “Death to the Dictator” Chants Across Major Cities

Protests in Iran entered a third day as demonstrators across major cities shut shops, rallied publicly, and chanted “Death to the dictator” over economic hardship.

On the third day of nationwide protests, Iranian shopkeepers shut down businesses and held demonstrations in cities including Tehran, Isfahan, Ahvaz, Shiraz, Kermanshah, and Najafabad. Protesters chanted anti-government slogans such as “Death to the dictator” and “Death to the principle of velayat-e faqih.”

Demonstrators also voiced economic and political grievances, chanting “Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life for Iran” and “Death to this inflation, we march until overthrow.” Some crowds openly expressed nostalgia for the monarchy, chanting slogans praising Reza Shah.

The strike began on Sunday in response to a sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial and worsening economic conditions. On Tuesday, the U.S. dollar surged past 124,000 tomans, marking a new historic low for Iran’s currency.

According to Iran’s Central Bank, the official exchange rate at the currency and gold exchange center exceeded 124,140 tomans per dollar. The rial has been on a steady downward trend for months, but the latest spike represents an unprecedented collapse.

Rapid currency depreciation has fueled soaring inflation, officially reported at over 42 percent annually. Prices of basic goods, including food and medicine, have risen sharply, intensifying public anger and economic hardship.

Iranian bazaars have historically played a central role in political movements, including the 1979 revolution. Shopkeeper strikes are widely viewed as a powerful symbol of economic protest and social resistance.

Iran’s economy continues to struggle under international sanctions, mismanagement, and declining oil revenues, leaving the government with limited options to stabilize the currency or control inflation.

As protests spread, security forces were deployed across major cities. Reports indicate heavy security presence in central Tehran, Mashhad, Gorgan, and other urban areas, with videos showing live fire directed at protesters in parts of the capital.

International reactions have intensified, with foreign officials condemning the use of force against demonstrators and voicing support for Iranian protesters. Analysts say sustained unrest could further strain Tehran’s political stability and global standing.

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