Iran has been gripped by widespread unrest as protests against rising inflation and economic hardship continue to intensify across the country, drawing global attention and sharp political reactions. Adding to the volatility, former US president Donald Trump shared a video on social media claiming that protesters had taken control of Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city and its most important religious centre. According to Trump’s post, security forces had allegedly withdrawn from the city, allowing demonstrators to seize control. While the claim has sparked international debate and concern, it remains unverified, with no independent confirmation that Mashhad has fallen under full protester control or that security forces have entirely vacated the city.
The protests, which began on December 28, have steadily spread in scale and intensity. What started as demonstrations against inflation and rising living costs has evolved into one of the most widespread waves of unrest Iran has witnessed in recent years. With crowds taking to the streets in more than 100 cities, the situation has become a major challenge for Iranian authorities, drawing responses from the country’s top leadership as well as international figures closely watching developments on the ground.
Trump’s Mashhad claim and the symbolic weight of Iran’s largest religious city
Donald Trump’s social media post quickly drew attention because of Mashhad’s immense religious, cultural, and political significance. In the video he shared, Trump wrote that more than a million people were rallying and claimed that Iran’s second-largest city was under the control of protesters, with regime forces leaving the area. The statement suggested a dramatic shift in the balance of power in one of Iran’s most sensitive and symbolically important cities.
Mashhad, home to around four million people, is located near Iran’s borders with Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. It is widely regarded as the spiritual heart of the country, as it houses the shrine of Imam Reza, the eighth Shia Imam. The shrine is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Shia Muslims worldwide and plays a central role in Iran’s religious identity. Any suggestion that Mashhad has slipped from government control carries enormous symbolic weight, both domestically and internationally.
However, despite the viral spread of Trump’s claim, there has been no reliable confirmation that protesters have fully taken control of Mashhad or that security forces have withdrawn from the city. Independent reports have not verified the assertion, and Iranian authorities have not acknowledged any such loss of control. Analysts note that while protests have occurred in Mashhad, as they have in many other Iranian cities, claims of complete takeover should be treated with caution in the absence of credible evidence.
Trump’s comments have nevertheless added fuel to an already tense situation. Iranian officials and state media have repeatedly accused foreign powers, particularly the United States, of attempting to exploit domestic unrest to destabilise the country. In this context, Trump’s public statements are viewed by Tehran as provocative and potentially aimed at encouraging further dissent.
The protests themselves reflect deep-rooted economic frustrations. Iran has been struggling with high inflation, currency depreciation, and rising unemployment, all of which have eroded purchasing power and living standards. For many protesters, economic grievances are at the heart of their anger, though the demonstrations have also taken on broader political and social dimensions as they spread.
Nationwide protests, casualties, arrests, and leadership response
As demonstrations entered their thirteenth day, the situation across Iran became increasingly volatile. According to reports cited by international media, protests have now reached more than 100 cities, making this one of the most geographically widespread movements in the country in recent years. Streets in major urban centres as well as smaller towns have seen crowds chanting slogans, confronting security forces, and expressing anger over inflation and economic mismanagement.
The human cost of the unrest has continued to rise. According to a US-based human rights organisation, at least 45 people have been killed in the violence so far, including eight children. Reports also indicate that a police officer was stabbed to death during clashes, highlighting the growing intensity of confrontations. More than 2,270 people have reportedly been taken into custody as authorities attempt to regain control and suppress the protests.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed the nation for the first time since the protests began, delivering a speech broadcast on state television. In his remarks, Khamenei strongly criticised the demonstrators, accusing them of destroying their own country to please foreign powers. He warned that Iran would not tolerate what he described as mercenaries working for outsiders and claimed that foreign agents were inciting violence across the country.
During Khamenei’s address, crowds were shown chanting slogans such as “Death to America,” reinforcing the leadership’s narrative that the unrest is being influenced or directed by external enemies. Iranian state media has echoed this line, blaming “US agents” and “terrorists” for setting fires, attacking public property, and escalating violence. According to these reports, the unrest has led to widespread damage, including the burning of private vehicles, buses, fire trucks, motorcycles, and public infrastructure such as metro stations.
Videos circulating on social media have shown dramatic scenes from various cities, including footage of a government building set ablaze in eastern Tehran. The videos show flames engulfing the structure as crowds gather nearby, chanting anti-government slogans and cheering. Authorities have not yet issued official statements confirming details of the incident or reporting casualties, but the footage has added to perceptions of escalating chaos.
The Iranian government’s response has combined forceful rhetoric with security measures aimed at restoring order. Officials have warned that continued protests will be met with firm action, while also insisting that economic reforms and policy adjustments are being considered to address public grievances. Critics, however, argue that the leadership’s focus on blaming foreign actors risks ignoring the underlying economic and social pressures driving people to the streets.
As the unrest continues, uncertainty remains over how events will unfold. Trump’s unverified claim about Mashhad has intensified international scrutiny, while statements from Iran’s leadership signal a hardening stance against protesters. With protests spreading, casualties mounting, and competing narratives shaping perceptions inside and outside the country, Iran faces a period of significant instability, with economic distress, political confrontation, and global attention converging in a rapidly evolving crisis.
