The protests that began on 28 December 2025 mark a continuation of Iran’s long-running cycle of public dissent and state repression. The nationwide unrest is rooted in accumulated political, social, and economic grievances that have developed over decades of protest and suppression, particularly during the 2022 “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement.
The state’s response has been characterised by mass arrests, internet shutdowns, and the use of lethal force, resulting in significant loss of life. It has also exposed a deepening human rights crisis, including serious violations of freedom of expression, women’s rights, and due process. Understanding what is happening in Iran is essential to confronting the ongoing erosion of fundamental rights and preventing the normalisation of repression.
Our full fact sheet on the ongoing situation can be read and downloaded here: What’s happening in Iran?
