In 1979, when the Ayatollah Khomeini took power in Iran and the Islamic Republic began, one American dollar was worth 70 Iranian riyals. Today one American dollar is worth 1,250,000 riyals. Such is the state of Iran’s collapsing economy. More than 40% of Iranians now live below the poverty line. 60% of Iranian university graduates cannot find jobs. There are electricity blackouts across the country, because the drought has caused many hydroelectric dams to be rendered inoperative, no longer producing electricity. There is now talk of moving all ten million residents of Tehran out of the city, to places where more water is available. The country’s economic mainstay, its revenues from oil, keep decreasing. Today the market value of a barrel of oil has sunk to $62 a barrel, but American sanctions have forced Iran to sell its oil to China at a discount of $11 per barrel. And the riyal keeps decreasing in value.
The protests now in Iran are too widespread for the army to put down, and the regime fears what could happen if some in the military refuse to fire on, or may even join, the protesters. More on the situation on the streets, where economic despair is metamorphosing into political unrest, can be found here: “Protests erupt across Iran as collapsing rial sparks unrest, regime blames ‘enemy’ influence,” by Danielle Greyman-Kennard, Jerusalem Post, December 29, 2025:
A second day of protests in Iran raged on Monday [Dec. 29] as demonstrators voiced anger over the rapidly falling value of the rial. Regime officials blamed the unrest and broader economic decline on “enemy psychological warfare.”
There is no need for “enemy psychological warfare” — that is, either from the Little Satan, Israel, or the Great Satan, America. Iranians see for themselves — no outside guide is needed — in the unemployment rates, the stiff rise in food prices, the removal of subsidies that have led to an enormous rise in the price of fuel. This is what they experience in their lives and have no need of others — “the enemy” — bringing their desperate situation to their attention. They also are keenly aware of how their rulers live, and it maddens them. They have heard about the $95 billion in assets that the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, is reported to control; how many of that tremendous sum has been squirreled away for himself and his extended family remains a matter of resentful speculation.
“Shopkeepers [the famed bazaaris who played such an important role in bringing down the shah] in Tehran closed their stores, and mass demonstrations broke out in response to the rial’s fall. Clashes reportedly occurred across multiple streets in Tehran, with authorities using tear gas to disperse the protesters, according to footage of the events.
“Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Brig.-Gen. Ali Akbar Pourjamshidian, the security and law-enforcement deputy to the interior minister, blamed the fluctuations in foreign-exchange markets on “enemy inducements.”
General Pourjamshidian is an economic illiterate. What conceivable “enemy inducements” would cause the riyal to fall to such a catastrophic low? It is the Iranian government that chose to spend more than $100 billon on its nuclear program, only to see it all go up in smoke when Israel destroyed that program in the 12-day war it launched on Iran last June. It is the Iranian government that chose to transfer huge amounts of both expensive weaponry and money to its proxies — Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Lebanon. The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies has estimated that Iran spends $16 billion a year on these three proxies. And here again, the IDF has destroyed weapons worth many billions of dollars. This, too, is known to the people of Iran..
“In my opinion, a large part of the currency problems and fluctuations is affected by the psychological atmosphere of the market,” he was quoted as saying. “The enemy is desperately seeking to take advantage of the created atmosphere. People should be aware of this issue and not be influenced by the enemy’s insinuations. The market should continue its work peacefully, and people should not worry.”
The IRGC attributed the dissent to “cognitive warfare, psychological operations, and narrative creation.”
“Despair, instilling fear, and encouraging surrender to the enemy in the current circumstances are clear examples of seditious behavior,” it said.
No “enemy” need be blamed for the despair Iranians feel as a result of the waste, mismanagement, and misallocation of resources by their despotic government. They don’t want to “surrender” to an enemy; they simply want to throw out the despotic theocrats who have made their lives hell for the past 45 years. Furthermore, the people of Iran, as opposed to the country’s rulers, don’t see Israel as an enemy.
The proximate cause of the latest protests was the government’s decision to cut the fuel subsidies that had been in place for years, and thus the price has suddenly been increased. Such a measure had been put off for years because of fears that it might cause protests; now the rise in the fuel price will be larger than if the subsidy had been steadily and slowly decreased, and the protests, consequently, are proving to be more difficult to suppress.
From his refuge in the United States, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has for years been beaming messages of encouragement to the disaffected masses in Iran. Now one hears his name being shouted at these protests. The people in the streets don’t just want an improvement in the economy. They want political freedom as well. After 45 years, they want to topple the regime. And they are counting on some in the military — first a little, thence to more — refusing to suppress them, or better still, joining the protesters. The last major protest in Iran was in 2022 over the death of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish girl whom the religious police had picked up for “wearing her hijab incorrectly.” She was then beaten in a police van so severely that she died. The protest now has been prompted not by a revolt against the religious police, but by the despair over minuscule salaries, massive unemployment, the spread of poverty to almost half the population, the waste, mismanagement, and misallocation of resources, which includes the hundred billion dollars spent on Iran’s nuclear program and the $16 billion spent annually on weapons for terrorist proxies, and much higher prices for both food and fuel.
The latest protests began in Tehran late in the afternoon on December 28, and within less than 24 hours, protests had spread to cities across Iran, to Mashhad, Kermanshah, Hamedan, Karaj, Malard, and Qeshm. Bazaaris in all those cities shut up their shops in protest, as they did in 1978 in protest against the shah. Crowds have been shouting “This is the year of blood. Seyyed Ali [Ayatollah Khamenei] will be overthrown.” The regime refuses to redirect its spending from its military to improving the living standards of its enraged and despairing people. How long will the Basiji be willing to oppress their own people, and how many of them, who are also victims of the regime’s economic failures, will now be prepared to join the protesters?
Taffy says
These brave Iranian citizens don’t stand a chance without outside help, because the regime has all the firearms. Hey Israel, care to lend a hand with air support to oust the Ayatollah and his Shia regime? With the Ayatolah out and Pahlavi in, Israel’s security will be enhanced a few notches.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Yeah, even if Israel can’t openly do it, b’cos…. Trump, they should have Mossad orchestrate simultaneous revolts all over the country – Tehran, Tabriz, Zahedan, Isfahan, Mashhed, Yazd, Shiraz, Ahwaz,…. The IRGC and Basij can’t put down revolts everywhere
Wellington says
The extraordinary amount of hatred found within the worst religion of all time is the chief cause of the debacle which is presently Iran.
Walter Sieruk says
The Iranian people are right and justified for hating that brutal cruel oppressive and even murderous Islamic tyrannical regime of Iran
For example, the many arrest and imprisonment and even execution of people , repeatedly, who had peacefully protested that “mullah tyranny” of Iran only further exposes the weak ,fearful and intolerant nature of those in power in the oppressive and brutal “mullah regime “ of Iran.
Therefore, the Iranians people are more than justified in wanting that brutal cruel oppressive Islamic tyranny to be overthrown and replaced with a genuine government.
As a former Muslim revealed an important reality when he wrote “The Islamic republic of Iran exists and operates as what every fundamentalist dreams of, an Islamic state ruled by Sharia …” He further exposes that “What followed its establishment was the inevitable consequence and inexorable logic of its Islamic premise; state terrorism, a merciless tyranny.” [1]
[1] THE ISLAM IN ISLAMIC TERRORISM by Ibn Warraq page 347.
Walter Sieruk says
That horrific Islamic tyranny of Iran is evil in sense of that word.
For that horrifically, cruel oppressive malicious and murderous Islamic regime of Iran, denies the Iranian, people their basic natural human rights. As in consequence the people of Iran would and should revolt against that viciously brutal tyrannical “’mullah regime” of Iran.
Accordingly, the Iranian people are right and righteous by engaging in bitter and strong protests against those cruel malicious and murderous tyrants in power of that cruel and oppressive Sharia based dictatorship of that Islamic regime of Iran.
In other words, those vicious despots of that horrendously horrific Islamic regime have provoked the people excessively too far.
In addition, some of the people who trapped in and forced to exist in the Islamic dictatorship of Iran might not know about the intellect philosopher John Locke, but his ideas do apply to them. For Mr. Locke taught that any good government has the duty to ensure the security and safety of its citizens. Yet when a tyranny is the people in the tyrannical government do have every natural and ethical right to overthrow that terrible and oppressive tyrannical government.
Walter Sieruk says
That heinously cruel and murderous Islamic tyranny of Iran is very brutal and vicious to the Iranian people. Especially regarding females. Both girls and women.
The murder of Mahsa Amini is very sad and tragic and that horrendous evil of her being murdered is because of the oppressive vicious brutal cruel and deadly misogynistic Islamic regime of Iran.
That action of male Muslim who are officials murdering defenseless, helpless women in cold blood is a heinous and hideous has occurred before and if that murderous Islamic regime isn’t overthrown such wicked killing will continue
Another example of such callous despicable heartless anti-female evil is when a teenage girl in Iran was talking to her boyfriend on the phone and then the Islamic state “police” walked over to her and shot her dead. They did that wicked and malicious thing to her because she was talking to her boyfriend and they also didn’t like her clothing. [1]
That was a clear cut case of murder and vicious Islamic madness by Iran’s Islamic state “ police”, who call themselves the “Revolutionary Guards”, they got away with their hideous and malice –filled evil because the mullahs as well as other villains in power in that tyrannical Islamic regime.
[1] A TIME TO BETRAY by Reza Kahlili page 240
Walter Sieruk says
The Iranian people are very justified, right and righteous to chant repeatedly “Death to the Islamic Republic “ It’s not even a real “ Republic” in the very essence of that word.
That Islamic tyrannical regime of Iran is and always was since its very beginning a horrendous violator of human rights, especially females, both girls and women, even the most basic human rights of the Iranian people. Since those tyrants in power in Iran care nothing ,at all , for the humans rights as in lives and safety of the people of Iran , how much less do they care ,if even possible, about the lives and safely of the people of other countries.
Furthermore, that Islamic tyranny of Iran is based in the foundation of false and empty promises. As well as lying words of Ayatollah Khomeini After the fiendish Muslim clerics obtained total power in Iran they showed their true colors by having their Islamic state police who are called the “Revolutionary Guards truest the people on Iran in many heinously brutal and ruthless ways. As, for example, their brutal, callous misogyny against both girls and women. This thesis statement is explained, in some detail, by the following.
, That tyrannical Islamic regime in Iran that so falsely and inappropriately has the word “republic” in its title. It should be made known that this called the “Iranian Revolution” turned out to be a hoax. Ayatollah Khomeini before achieving power in Iran in his lying and deceptions presented himself to the Iranian people as if he was someone who would be in power would give freedom to the people of Iran with any tyranny. The reality turned out to be just the opposite.
As explained by a former Muslim as well as a man who took part in this Islamic “revolution “ ,who is now a Christian informs the reader of his book that “Prior to the Revolution no one ever imagined that other political parties would be suppressed under the rule of Ayatollah Khomeini. He had promised that all groups would have freedom to run their own campaigns after the Revolution. He even stated that governing system would be based on the decision of the people via a referendum. He never spoke of a system that would be governed by Islam. He even made clear that mullahs would not take part in any political activities, and that they would only be allowed to teach spirituality… Immediately after the Revolution, mullahs rushed into government offices to occupy the most important political l positions, making it difficult for the interim secular government to function … The mullah’s occupation of position was exactly the opposite to what the Ayatollah Khomeini had promised before the Revolution.”. [1]
In other words, the insincere, disingenuous and outright lying Ayatollah Khomeini made many bogus promise he really had no intention of keeping. His lying deception worked, for he achieved great power in Iran.
Furthermore, of the many heinously evils outcomes of that Islamic “revolution” is the extremely cruel, brutal and demonic misogyny of this hideous Islamic regime. Not only against women but even young girls.
As explained by a former Iranian Revolutionary Guard member who defected to the West and how now lives in America his book also informs the reader about the malicious and murderous affront girls in Iran’s Evin prison which reads that those in power ,the “paraded teenage girls in front in front of me as they led them to their deaths. These girls were barely out of their childhood, barely old enough to think of themselves, much less form thoughts against the state. They knew nothing about the machinations of politics. They were innocent in every sense of the word and certainty innocent of trumped –up charges that led to their imprisonment. Yet they suffered fates too brutal for even the most vicious criminal. ..Their few remaining moments of life had been filled with the level of abuse that few can imagine”
The author further states “They tortured and killed young girls, in God’s name and before their execution they raped them because they believed that if a girl dies virgin, she will go to heaven, and they wanted to deny them this reward.” [2]
This is as malice -filled cruel brutal oppressive malicious and murderous Islamic regime of Iran, since it took power in Iran it thrives on installing fear on the Iranian people.
First, the Bible reads, “All the days of the oppressed are wretched.” Proverbs 15:15. [N.I.V.]
Second, Benjamin Franklin had printed a very true statement in his periodical Poor Richard’s Almanac which may apply to that horrendous tyrannical regime of Iran. It’s “Those who are feared are also hated.”
One important this to understand that since that brutal .cruel oppressive and murderous Islamic regime of Iran was built on a bedrock of lies as well as false and empty and unkempt promises its footing is based on a foundation of sand, therefore the collapse of that hostile horrific and horrendous Islamic tyranny of Iran should be inevitable.
[1] ISLAM THE HOUSE I LEFT BEHIND by Daniel Shayesteh . Pages 90, 91
[2] A TIME TO BETRAY by Reza Kahlili. Pages 2,3. 117.
Walter Sieruk says
This heinous Islamic regime of Iran is even false in its name. For it has the title of “The Islamic Republic of Iran.” It is Islamic for sure, but its falsely called a “republic.” This is because a real Republic comes from the Latin word; res-publica meaning “The property of the people” This is one thing that this brutal and harsh Islamic tyranny is not.
For the mullahs and ayatollahs who have the strong and terrible power in this Islamic have much control. Even the Iranian parliament is much influenced by those ruling Muslim clerics. Those mullahs and ayatollahs of this Islamic dictatorship come down very hard on the human rights of the Iranian people through their ruthless gang of thugs who are called “The Republican Guard.” Furthermore, this hideous type of hard and oppressive tyranny is taught about in the Bible .
For in Ecclesiastes 4 :1 in teaches about “the tears of the oppressed.” and about all the power being “on the side of the oppressors.” Likewise, in that same Bible book in 5:8 it informs the reader not to be naïve about such awful wickedness. For it teaches “If you see the poor oppressed…and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things.”
Moreover, in Proverbs 15:15 it also teaches “All the days of the oppressed are wretched…” In addition, the Iranian president, Pezeshkian and ayatollah Khamenei may be described in Proverbs 28:15 which reads “Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked man ruling over a helpless people.” In short, the brutal and vicious Islamic regime of those two characters, just mention, as well as the other mullahs , ayatollahs and other Muslim tyrants who have such harsh and brutal control with their terrible oppression over the lives of the Iranian people , Proverbs 29:2 is thus very appropriate . For it teaches “When the wicked rule, the people groan. “ [N.I.V.]
Walter Sieruk says
About that Sharia based tyrannical Islamic regime of Iran which has the official title of “The Islamic Republic of Iran” and also about the chief and head Imam, Ayatollah Khomeini, who had a strong hand in establishing this so called “Republic “
The very actual essence of that Islamic tyranny, Ayatollah Khomeini, had made in known that “The Islamic Republic of Iran would be Islamic and nothing but .He declared ‘What the nation wants is an Islamic Republic. Not just a Republic, not a democratic Republic, not a democratic Islamic Republic. Do not use the word “democratic” to describe it. That is the Western style. ‘” [1]
Furthermore, that cruel and tyrannical Islamic regime of Iran regime has severely limited to an extreme much knowledge and wisdom from the outside world. This is because that fiendish and murderous ayatollahs and mullahs in power in Iran are very much afraid the Iranian people might discover different ideas. As the idea’s and philosophy of John Locke
For example, Locke views the people living under any genuine government are people retaining their individual rights after a government has been established to protect human rights. . In other words, the securing of their rights – the protection of the life, liberty and property of all – is the sole legitimate purpose of government. If a government begins to abuse those rights it then becomes tyrannical and the governed [the people] retain the right to overthrow that government and replace it with one that does its job properly.
So that heinous”mullah regime” of Iran, greatly fears such ideas and keeps the people under his hideous control of his tyranny in and the darkness of much limited information.
[1]`THE HISTORY OF JIHAD by Robert Spencer, page 318.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
It’s apparently day 3 of these protests. Hope they snowball, & spread all over the country
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/12/30/hypocrisy-claims-mount-as-massive-iran-protests-enter-day-3-where-are-the-free-palestine-activists/
gravenimage says
+1
Westman says
Amen…..
SKA says
“ How long will the Basiji be willing to oppress their own people?”
When they discover that the paper riyals of their mercenary salaries are worthless than toilet paper!
When you cannot pay your police snd military then the true religion prevails: La illaha il Dollar!
Westman says
There is no sustainable economy under Shariah Law unless there is something to exploit. Even with oil money, the Iranian administration blithely throws it away on war intrigues, expensive weapons, and oppressing the citizens.
The Iranian citizens who believe Allah controls the world could only interpret the drought as Allah’s displeasure with Iran’s leaders. This, poverty, and drought is a perfect storm from which a revolution is coming.
gravenimage says
In Iran, Another Day of Widespread Protests
………………………………………….
Great to see, and may all of the protesters stay safe!
tgusa says
“The protests now in Iran are too widespread for the army to put down,”
Go, go, go, Persians! Do not stop now because it would only get worse if you do.However, the people could use some help.Where are all the (profit first) Arms dealers of the world right now? Of course, being a civilized man I would like to see the revolution end under peaceful means. But after the peoples success I want to see a civilized administration of justice for the perpetrators of decades long rule of the muslim insurgents. I say the Persians oblige them with traditional islamic punishment and we all know what that consists of. I believe in, what goes around comes around, deserving.