Iran’s Government Offers Dialogue as Protests Escalate to Universities

Protests over Iran’s soaring cost of living have spread to several universities, with students joining shopkeepers and bazaar merchants, according to semi-official media reports. The government has responded by offering dialogue with demonstrators as protests grow in size and intensity.

In 2025, the Iranian rial has lost nearly half its value against the dollar, and inflation reached 42.5% in December, exacerbating economic pressures. President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged the legitimacy of the protesters' demands, urging the interior minister to engage with them. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani confirmed that a dialogue mechanism would be set up, signaling the government's recognition of the protests' origins in economic hardship.

Footage from Tehran shows protesters chanting slogans, including references to Iran’s pre-revolutionary monarchy. Hundreds of students have protested at Tehran universities, with social media users voicing support for the unrest, blaming high prices and corruption.

Iran’s economy has suffered for years under US sanctions, and inflation continues to strain the population. The rial fell to a record low, and economic disparities, corruption, and mismanagement have fueled growing discontent. The government's recent economic liberalization policies have exacerbated the currency crisis.

Despite the ongoing protests, the government is facing intense international scrutiny, particularly after Israeli and US airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities in June. As unrest mounts, it remains to be seen how the government will navigate these challenges.