US backs Iranian protesters as unrest spreads; over 60 reported dead
Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged US support for demonstrators in Iran as protests over economic woes expand. Rights monitors report at least 65 fatalities and over 2,300 arrests across the country.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed Friday that Washington supports the "brave people of Iran," issuing the statement amid widening protests across the Islamic Republic. The declaration aligns with reports from the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), which documented at least 65 fatalities linked to the unrest, including 50 protesters, 14 security personnel, and one civilian affiliated with the government. The protests, triggered by a plummeting currency and economic hardship, have now reached roughly 180 cities.
Scope of Demonstrations and Crackdown
The unrest, which began near Tehran's Grand Bazaar on December 28, has rapidly spread to all 31 Iranian provinces. HRANA estimates over 2,300 detainees and dozens injured, with many wounds reportedly caused by pellet rounds and plastic bullets. Iranian authorities have not released official casualty figures but have consistently blamed the United States and Israel for instigating the protests. Senior officials have warned that security forces will show "no tolerance whatsoever toward saboteurs."
International Reactions and Accusations
The US position was reinforced by President Donald Trump, who stated Iran is "in big trouble" and cautioned against the use of lethal force by authorities. These statements from American leadership have further fueled Tehran's accusations of foreign interference. The Iranian government frames the protests as a foreign-backed plot to destabilize the country, rather than a genuine domestic response to inflation, unemployment, and a severe devaluation of the rial.
Underlying Economic Grievances
The protests underscore profound economic discontent within Iran, where international sanctions, mismanagement, and corruption have crippled the economy and eroded public purchasing power. The rapid devaluation of the national currency has made basic goods increasingly unaffordable for many citizens, serving as the immediate catalyst for the demonstrations. The scale and geographic spread of the protests suggest these economic frustrations are widespread and deeply felt.
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