Israel's President, Isaac Herzog, sent a clear and direct message to the people of Iran: Israel stands with those who demand freedom in the face of a regime that has been oppressing its population for decades. During a speech in Jerusalem, Herzog highlighted the courage of the demonstrators who "march bravely for their freedom" and condemned the Iranian leaders as the "root of so much evil in the world".
The head of state emphasized that his hope is that Iranians will be able to achieve the same levels of freedom and coexistence that Israel upholds as essential values. His statements come amid an escalation of protests that have already left more than 500 dead, according to the HRANA organization.
Economic crisis, runaway inflation, and social unrest
The spark for this new wave of protests was the collapse of the Iranian rial, which fell to a historic low of 1.42 million per dollar. The immediate impact was an abrupt increase in food and fuel prices, triggering spontaneous outbursts in central markets in Tehran and later in 280 localities across 27 provinces.
The regime's response was immediate and violent: repression with live ammunition, tear gas, threats of the death penalty, and internet shutdowns aimed at concealing the magnitude of the abuses. The resignation of the Central Bank president, Mohammad Reza Farzin, exposed the internal chaos and the institutional inability to contain the crisis.
Extreme violence in Lorestan and systematic repression
On January 1, the most serious incidents were recorded in Azna, Lorestan province. Verified videos showed fires, gunshots, and direct clashes between civilians and armed forces. Deaths were also reported in Bakhtiari and Isfahan, as well as the killing of a Basij militia volunteer.
