Iran's Protest History: A 30-Year Timeline of Unrest and Crackdowns

• Iran is experiencing its largest protest in two decades, starting in Tehran's bazaar over economic frustrations and escalating to nationwide demands for government removal.
• The current 2025-2026 protests began due to a rial crash, worsening inflation, and business losses, quickly turning political with chants against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
• Past major protests include the 2022-2023 "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement (Mahsa Amini's death), 2019 Fuel Price Protests, 2017-2018 Economic Protests, 2009 Green Movement, and 1999 Student Protests.
• Common patterns in Iranian protests involve initial specific issues, broader calls for change, and eventual fading due to state crackdowns, internet restrictions, mass arrests, and violence.
• Despite protests fading from the streets, public anger over economic hardship, daily struggles, and demands for reform often persists, indicating a recurring cycle of unrest.

Why It Matters: Iran's history reveals a recurring cycle of protests driven by economic and social grievances, met with state suppression.