How Iran's protest movement has gained increasing momentum a visual guide

"A protest movement in Iran that started as a small demonstration by shopkeepers in Tehran over a weakening currency has exploded into the largest nationwide uprising in years against the country's theocratic leaders. Fearing a threat to its decades-old grip on the country, the government has responded with deadly force. Rights groups have reported that hundreds of people have been killed by security forces and the state-backed Basij militia. In an attempt to isolate the movement, authorities have shut down the internet and telephone networks."

"Demonstrations initially focused on economic issues after the rial went into freefall, losing half of its value against the dollar last year. The currency crash compounded an already dire situation, with high prices on basic foods and a worsening inflation rate that had been well over 30% for years. Graph showing Iran's annual consumer price inflation rate As the demonstrations spread they became more overtly political, with protesters chanting death to the dictator, a reference to the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei."

"Security forces have killed hundreds of protesters and arrested thousands, according to exiled rights groups that are in contact with Iranian activists. These figures are hard to independently verify in a closed media environment. The global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says Iran is one of the world's most repressive countries for press freedom, and places it 176 out of 180 on its World Press Freedom Index. Still, protesters have managed to post videos of the rallies and footage of dead bodies online using"

Protests began as a small demonstration by shopkeepers in Tehran over a weakening rial that lost about half its value against the dollar. High prices on basic foods and a sustained inflation rate above 30% amplified economic grievances. The unrest spread nationwide and increasingly adopted political slogans, including chants of "death to the dictator" aimed at Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Photographs show burning cars, smashed shops, and debris-strewn streets. Security forces and the state-backed Basij militia have reportedly killed hundreds and arrested thousands. Authorities have shut down internet and telephone networks. Press freedom is severely restricted, complicating independent verification.

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