In December 2025, Tehran's Grand Bazaar erupted in protest as merchants shut their stalls in defiance. Within 72 hours, protests spread to over 200 cities across Iran, marking the largest sustained uprising since 2022.
In January 2026, the IRGC carried out mass killings, with thousands killed in 48 hours and over 53,000 arrested. But the protests did not stop. University sit-ins, oil worker strikes, and women marching without headscarves continued to shake the regime.
The global Iranian diaspora responded with unprecedented rallies: 150,000+ in Los Angeles, 250,000 in Munich, and massive gatherings in Vancouver, Toronto, London, Berlin, Paris, and Sydney. The movement has unified around Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi's democratic transition plan: interim government, free elections, new constitution, and national referendum.
Related Historical Events
December Uprising (December 2025) — Tehran's Grand Bazaar erupts in protest. Merchants shut stalls. Protests spread to 200+ cities in 72 hours.
January Massacres (January 2026) — IRGC carries out mass killings — thousands killed in 48 hours. 53,000+ arrested. Protests do not stop.
Protests Sweep Iran (Jan–Feb 2026) — University sit-ins, oil worker strikes, women marching without headscarves. The regime loses control.
Global Diaspora Rallies (Jan–Feb 2026) — 150,000+ in LA, 250,000 in Munich, massive rallies in Vancouver, Toronto, London, Berlin. 'Pahlavi will return.'
The protests were triggered by economic collapse following the June 2025 Israel-Iran conflict, combined with decades of regime corruption and oppression. They are a continuation of the Woman Life Freedom movement.
What is Reza Pahlavi proposing?
Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has proposed a democratic transition including an interim government, free elections, a new constitution, and a national referendum on Iran's form of government.