Iran Unrest: Friday Of Reckoning? Khamenei Regime Faces Widespread Protests | EXPLAINED | World News
Iran has witnessed some of the most volatile developments in recent years; The last 24 hours have been described as particularly dangerous amid nationwide unrest. The protests, which initially started over economic difficulties, grew into a broader movement against Iran’s Islamic system of governance. Women were at the forefront of this movement. Demonstrations across Iran are increasingly featuring women who are openly defying the restrictions that have defined their lives for decades.
It is said that if this movement is successful, it could fundamentally challenge the foundations of strict Islamic rule in the country.
The struggle is seen as a conflict between Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iranian women who say they have not been able to live freely for 47 years. Many women appear in public without headscarves and openly challenge religious authority. In today’s DNA episode, Zee News Editor-in-Chief Rahul Sinha analyzed the ongoing protests in Iran:
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#DNAमित्रों | ईरान में ‘खलीफा Vs खातून’ का विश्लेषण, ‘खातून’ के What happened? #DNA #DNAwithRahulSinha #Iranian #IranProtests @RahulSinhaTV pic.twitter.com/5UFuYTZV4E— Zee News (@ZeeNews) January 9, 2026
On the 13th day of the protests, developments became so intense that commentators suggested that this Friday could be decisive for the Khamenei administration. The unrest also reached international dimensions, as former US President Donald Trump’s statements and reports that Russia provided military support to Iran attracted global attention.
Women-Led Protests and Symbolic Uprising
Iran has seen major protests before, including the 2022 hijab movement. The demonstrations, which started over inflation, turned into calls for the abolition of the system led by Khamenei. Women are playing an important role by adopting new forms of protest that have gone viral around the world.
Images shared from Tehran are watched from thousands of kilometers away, including Washington.
Protests continue in all 31 provinces of Iran, with wide participation of women as well as men. Videos circulating around the world show injured women continuing to protest, chanting slogans, despite severe injuries.
The Roots of Anger
Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran imposed strict legal and social restrictions on women. Mandatory hijab laws made it a crime to show hair or wear make-up, enforced by the morality police. Women face unequal divorce laws, need parental approval for marriage, and often need their husband’s permission to obtain a passport or travel abroad. They are effectively excluded from positions such as judges and presidents.
Escalation and Government Intervention
Internet services and international phone calls were shut down across the country. Authorities claim that the protests are directed from abroad.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, addressing the Iranian people, claimed that Khamenei could flee the country and warned that the US would react harshly if the protesters were killed.
