Iran is engulfed in some of its fiercest unrest since the 2022 Mahsa Amini uprising, as nationwide protests over economic collapse, political repression and anger at Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have turned deadly in multiple cities. Demonstrations that began over the plunging rial and worsening living conditions have escalated into direct anti‑regime chants. Khamenei, in his first major intervention since the latest wave of unrest began, has blasted the United States and Israel, branded demonstrators “rioters” and “agents of foreigners,” and vowed that Iran will not bow to outside pressure, even as he compares U.S. leaders to “Pharaohs” whose downfall he predicts. Watch for more