Iranian protesters are openly chanting “Death to Khamenei” and demanding regime change as violent government crackdowns have killed at least 20 demonstrators.
Story Highlights
- Economic protests in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar spread to 20+ cities with regime-change demands
- Death toll reaches 20 with nearly 1,000 arrested as security forces use live ammunition
- Government shutdowns disguised as weather emergencies attempt to suppress demonstrations
- Protesters reject foreign interventions, chanting “Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life for Iran”
Economic Grievances Spark Nationwide Uprising
What began as merchant strikes in Tehran’s historic Grand Bazaar over economic collapse has transformed into the largest anti-government uprising since 2022. Starting December 28-29, 2025, frustrated merchants and workers launched strikes protesting government inaction on inflation, energy shortages, and sanctions-driven hardship. The demonstrations rapidly spread from commercial districts to universities, with students at Shahid Beheshti University joining broader calls for political change that echo the spirit of resistance Americans cherish.
Regime Change Demands Challenge Supreme Leader
Unlike previous protests focused on specific policies, these demonstrations feature explicit calls for regime overthrow with chants of “Death to the dictator” and “Death to Khamenei” targeting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei directly. Protesters across cities from Tehran to Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Shiraz are demanding fundamental political transformation, not mere reform. This represents a significant escalation from economic grievances to comprehensive rejection of theocratic rule, demonstrating the kind of courage against tyranny that resonates with American constitutional principles.
Government Crackdown Intensifies Violence
Iranian security forces deployed tear gas and live ammunition against demonstrators, with the death toll climbing from an initial 10 to at least 20 by January 5, 2026. The Human Rights Activists News Agency reports nearly 1,000 arrests as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and police attempt to crush the uprising. One security force member was also killed, indicating the intensity of confrontations. President Pezeshkian’s promises to meet with protesters ring hollow given his lack of control over the security apparatus.
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The government ordered business closures across 21 provinces under the pretext of “cold weather and energy constraints,” but analysts recognize this as a transparent attempt to suppress protests by shutting down gathering places. This manipulation of emergency powers to stifle dissent mirrors the kind of government overreach that American conservatives have long warned against and fought to prevent through constitutional safeguards.
Patriotic Rejection of Foreign Interference
Significantly, Iranian protesters chant “Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life for Iran,” explicitly rejecting their government’s costly foreign interventions in favor of domestic priorities. This patriotic sentiment—putting one’s own country and people first—directly contradicts the regime’s policy of funding regional proxy groups while Iranian citizens suffer economic hardship. The protesters’ message aligns with the America First principle that government should prioritize its own citizens’ welfare over foreign adventures and globalist agendas.
As these protests enter their second week, they represent a fundamental challenge to the Islamic Republic’s legitimacy. The evolution from economic complaints to regime-change demands, combined with the government’s violent response, demonstrates the kind of popular uprising against tyrannical rule that inspired America’s own founding. For conservatives who value individual liberty and limited government, these Iranian patriots exemplify the universal human desire for freedom from oppressive state control.
Sources:
2025–2026 Iranian protests
2026 Iranian Protests
Protests spread in Iran as death toll reaches 20 with nearly 1,000 arrested: report
Iran Update: January 2, 2026
