Iran Protests Erupt Nationwide Over Soaring Prices, Collapsing Rial; Government Responds

• Protests intensify across Iran, fueled by public anger over soaring prices and the rial's collapse, spreading beyond Tehran.
• Unrest began with a strike at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar after the Iranian rial hit a record low against the US dollar.
• President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged protests, instructed talks with representatives, and replaced central bank governor Mohammadreza Farzin with Abdolnasser Hemmati.
• University students joined, chanting anti-government slogans like "Death to the dictator" and expressing support for exiled Reza Pahlavi.
• International reactions include support from Reza Pahlavi and the US State Department; US leaders discussed Iran's economic woes.

Why It Matters: Economic hardship triggers widespread protests in Iran, leading to government changes and international attention.