Background
Starting on 28 December 2025, widespread protests erupted across Iran amid a deepening economic crisis and growing public frustration with government corruption, [1] and demands for the end of the regime. [2] [3] The protests were Initially triggered by soaring inflation, skyrocketing food prices, and the Iranian rial's sharp depreciation, [4] but quickly expanded into a broader movement demanding political change and the end of the Islamic Republic, with slogans like "Death to the Dictator", referring to supreme leader Ali Khamenei, [3] and "Long live the Shah", referring to Reza Pahlavi. [5] [6] [7] [3] The demonstrations began in Tehran's Grand Bazaar, and spread to universities and major cities including Isfahan, Shiraz, and Mashhad, [8] drawing students and merchants alike, many of whom cited government corruption, mismanagement, and prioritization of foreign conflicts over domestic needs as major grievances. [9] The economic crisis, worsened by the 2025 conflict with Israel, reimposed UN sanctions, chronic inflation (42.2% in December), [8] and food and health price surges of 50–72%, [8] left merchants struggling to trade and households struggling to survive. Calls for reform grew alongside outrage over energy shortages, water crises, and civil rights abuses, [5] and by early January 2026, dozens of protesters had been arrested, with reports of security forces firing live ammunition directly at demonstrators. [3]
Killing
Rasoul Kadyourian
Rasoul Kadyourian was 18 years old when he was shot by IRGC forces on January 3, 2026. He was transferred to Taleghani Hospital, where he died shortly afterward. [10] [11] [12] Reports indicate that after his death, security agencies, the governor’s office, and the Kermanshah provincial authorities pressured the family to publicly announce that Rasoul was a government Basij member and to attribute his death to "thugs and rioters". [10]
Reza Kadyourian
Reza Kadyourian was 20 years old at the time of the incident. He was shot on the evening of January 3, 2026, and sustained severe injuries that caused him to fall into a coma. [10] [11] [12] Reza was admitted to the intensive care unit at Taleghani Hospital, where he remained until he died on January 4, 2026. [10] [12] [11] Following his death, the family was reportedly further pressured by authorities and told to pay a sum of 800 million tomans to receive the brothers’ bodies. [10]
As of 5 January 2026, the bodies of Rasoul Kadyourian and Reza Kadyourian had not been returned. [11] [12]
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