Iranians have been protesting for almost a fortnight. Here’s how the demonstrations began

People across Iran have been taking part in anti-government protests for nearly two weeks, marking one of the most widespread waves of unrest the country has seen in recent years.

According to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights NGO (IHRNGO), dozens of people have been killed since the demonstrations began. The protests have rapidly expanded in scale and scope, drawing international attention and concern.

The demonstrations first erupted on 28 December, when people in several cities took to the streets to protest Iran's worsening economic conditions, reports CNN.

What began as localised economic grievances quickly spread, with dissent reported in more than 100 cities across the country.

As frustration mounted, protests moved beyond economic issues and evolved into broader expressions of opposition to the regime.

The initial spark came from Iran's bazaars. Shopkeepers and business owners protested against soaring inflation and the rising costs of goods. Prices of essential goods such as cooking oil and chicken surged dramatically, while some items disappeared from store shelves altogether, putting additional pressure on ordinary citizens.

Tensions were further aggravated when the country's central bank ended a programme that allowed certain importers to access US dollars at a cheaper rate than the open market.

This policy change pushed many shopkeepers to raise prices sharply, and in some cases to close their businesses entirely. These developments triggered demonstrations that soon spread well beyond Tehran.

As protests widened, they began to reflect deeper dissatisfaction with governance in Iran. According to IHRNGO, demonstrations have now taken place in all 31 provinces, involving at least 100 cities nationwide.

Iranian authorities have accused protesters of targeting economic and religious infrastructure. The mayor of Tehran claimed that demonstrators attacked 26 banks, two hospitals and 25 mosques in the capital, though CNN said it could not independently verify these allegations.

The participation of bazaaris, traditionally seen as a pillar of support for the Islamic Republic, has been particularly notable. Students were also among the earliest participants.

Commenting on the unfolding situation, the US State Department wrote in a post on X: "First the bazaars. Then the students. Now the whole country. Iranians are united. Different lives, one demand: respect our voices and our rights."

Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guards today warned that safeguarding security was a "red line" and the military vowed to protect public property, as the clerical establishment stepped up efforts to quell the most widespread protests in years, reports Reuters.

The statements came after US President Donald Trump issued a new warning to Iran's leaders on Friday, and after Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday declared: "The United States supports the brave people of Iran."