Tehran – Iran’s protest movement has largely subsided following an intense crackdown by security forces, bringing a visible calm to major cities while leaving deep-seated political and economic tensions unresolved beneath the surface.
Demonstrations that erupted over rising prices, a sharply weakening currency and broader political grievances had spread across multiple urban centres, marking one of the most sustained periods of unrest in recent years. Protesters voiced anger not only at economic mismanagement but also at restrictions on civil liberties and governance under the Islamic Republic.
The state response, however, was swift and uncompromising. Security forces were deployed in large numbers, public gatherings were forcefully dispersed and a near-total shutdown of internet and mobile services was imposed to curb coordination and limit the flow of information. Rights groups report widespread arrests and detentions, with the full scale of casualties and injuries difficult to verify due to communication restrictions.
Analysts say the heavy mobilisation of security personnel has succeeded in pushing demonstrators off the streets for now. In Tehran and other major cities, daily life has cautiously resumed under a visible security presence, checkpoints and patrols acting as a deterrent to renewed protests.
Despite the apparent lull, observers warn that the underlying drivers of unrest remain unaddressed. Iran continues to face severe economic pressures, including inflation, unemployment and declining purchasing power, all of which have eroded public confidence. Political discontent, particularly among younger Iranians, also persists despite the current silence.
Opposition figures abroad and rights advocates argue that the crackdown has suppressed public expression rather than resolved grievances. They suggest that sustained pressure, arrests and fear may delay further protests but are unlikely to eliminate dissent in the long run.
As Iran’s streets grow quieter, the broader question facing the country is whether stability enforced through force can endure, or whether unresolved economic and social strains will once again bring unrest to the fore when conditions allow.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.