Iranian citizens were at their wits’ end on December 28, 2025, due to the country’s economic inflation. Everyone who lives there has struggled with affordability for years, barely able to pay for their daily needs, including shelter and food. The situation was causing demonstrations to spread quickly, but they soon moved from economics to the regime’s downfall. 

A week and a half later, on January 8, the Iranian authorities shut down the network and internet entirely for all citizens. The administration sought to keep their voices hidden from the public, because no one could communicate with family members or use social media. Sadly, I was unable to get in touch with my own family members, who are currently experiencing a tragedy. I was worried about their safety, because I didn’t know how they were doing. 

Fortunately, starting on January 24th, they were able to restore some of their internet access. I was still in communication with my own family, but I was a little afraid to bring up the violence that was taking place there, because most people’s access to social media is still restricted by the government. For their own safety, I avoided questioning them about the problems occurring there. 

This movement soon turned into frustration for all the civilians; they realized it was time to battle for their liberty once and for all. Although the citizens of Iran were unable to communicate with people here during that time, civilians like myself are standing by them and advocating for their cause here, informing the public about what is currently taking place there.

Iranians recognized that this was their chance to reclaim their freedom, and they understood that failing to demonstrate to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei their potential would result in the indefinite end for all Iranians. Ahead of this protest, the government recognized that implementing an internet blackout was a tactical move, as it prevented civilians from sharing information with family or friends through social media.

Amid the protests, Reza Pahlavi, son of the former Pahlavi Dynasty leader, urged Iranians to demonstrate peacefully, despite the long-standing frustration they had endured for many years. Nonetheless, he assured the country that he would eventually assume leadership and rescue Iran from this corrupt regime, transforming Iran into a better nation once more, free from these tyrants.

On the initial day of the demonstration, 1.5 million individuals took to the streets of Tehran to oppose the regime. On the second day, 5 million individuals staged demonstrations around the globe, encompassing Canada, the U.S., England, Germany, Australia, and others. These demonstrators are assisting civilians in Iran who are trapped and unable to communicate their issues to the world. They are merely demonstrating for human rights in Iran.

Regrettably, this resulted in severe disorder aimed at the demonstrators. Iranian security personnel discharged live rounds, causing numerous injuries and gunfire incidents. Hospitals in Tehran and Shiraz were overwhelmed due to protestors requiring emergency care. Due to a government directive reflecting Ali Khamenei’s wishes, thousands of protesters lost their lives on the streets of Iran. The demonstrators included civilians, adults, guardians, seniors, teenagers, and young children, although they were aware that numerous relatives had lost their loved ones due to their demands for freedom since 1979.

At the end of January, Iran International reported over 36,500 deaths in Iran, solely from the massacre of protesters. Simply learning about it makes you feel powerless, realizing there’s nothing you can do for the people in Iran, particularly given the present circumstances. Numerous civilians are either arrested or killed each day, simply for wanting to reclaim their lives. Khamenei bears full responsibility for the lives lost, yet instead of freeing them, the regime choked them like captives. They have been pleading and demonstrating for almost fifty years.

The most frustrating aspect of this is that Khamenei has admitted that thousands of individuals have been killed, aware that he was the one who authorized Iranian Security Forces to carry out this massacre. He is indeed responsible for all this catastrophe that has regrettably befallen the innocent Iranian populace. Nonetheless, they continue to battle daily to regain their freedom.

Iranians are already at their lowest when it comes to their freedom and the circumstances of Iran as of right now. All they want is their freedom back and knowing anyone can leave their house safely. Others, including myself, pray that one day Iran will be at its greatest as it used to be.