Tehran’s streets are ablaze with defiance as protests against Iran’s regime surge into their third day, fueled by economic despair and a collapsing currency.

Widespread unrest has gripped Iran, with demonstrations spreading from Tehran’s bustling markets to university campuses and provincial cities, while U.S. officials voice strong support for the protesters amid violent clashes with security forces, Fox News reported. 

For American taxpayers, this isn’t just a distant crisis—it’s a reminder of the billions poured into Middle East policies that often backfire, leaving us with the financial burden of unintended consequences like renewed sanctions or military entanglements.

Protests Erupt Across Iran’s Major Cities

The unrest kicked off in Tehran’s commercial heart, with strikes shutting down parts of the Grand Bazaar and gold market as the Iranian rial plummeted to staggering lows against the U.S. dollar.

From there, the movement exploded, reaching university hubs like Tehran University and Sharif University of Technology, where students have become a driving force behind the anti-regime chants.

Security forces have responded with heavy-handed tactics, deploying tear gas in Tehran and even live fire in places like Hamadan, while tightening control around campuses and key government sites.

Clashes and Chants of Defiance Grow

Videos circulating from groups like the National Council of Resistance of Iran show protesters in Tehran pushing back against security forces, forcing them to retreat on key streets.

Nighttime rallies have echoed with cries of “death to the dictator” from southern Qeshm Island to northern Zanjan, painting a picture of a nation at its breaking point.

Meanwhile, bazaar merchants—once a bedrock of regime support—have joined the strikes, signaling a profound loss of faith in the government’s ability to manage the economy, as noted by analysts at SpecialEurasia.

U.S. Support Amplifies Protesters’ Voices

Across the Atlantic, U.S. leaders have thrown their weight behind the demonstrators, with sharp words for Iran’s ruling elite.

“They’ve got tremendous inflation. Their economy is busted, the economy is no good,” said President Donald Trump, cutting straight to the heart of Iran’s woes.

Trump’s critique doesn’t pull punches, and frankly, it’s hard to argue when you see a currency collapse triggering such raw anger—yet one wonders if Washington’s rhetoric risks inflaming an already volatile situation.

Iran’s Regime Responds With Mixed Signals

On the ground, Iran’s government has acknowledged the protests, with President Masoud Pezeshkian directing officials to address “legitimate demands” through dialogue, though skepticism abounds on whether this is genuine or just damage control.

“The people of Iran want freedom,” wrote U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz on X, capturing the core of what these protesters seem to be fighting for—yet the regime’s history of suppression casts a long shadow over any promises of reform.