Screenshot of a video showing the procession of a demonstration in Bojnourd, a small town in eastern Iran, on Jan. 7, 2026. (@VAHIDONLINE/Telegram)
“Something feels different this time,” said Javid, speaking from his taxi as he drives through the streets of Tabriz, which have so far been less affected than other cities by the protest movement that has swept Iran for the past 10 days. As passengers alight and descend in the back seat, they speak openly of “an ending that is coming.”“Everyone wants change,” said the 36-year-old taxi driver.“Before, fear would stop us from even thinking, let alone talking about it,” he said, adding that this newfound openness marks a “very clear shift.” “It is very moving,” he said. “And I feel I’m on the front line, able to see it for myself.” How it started Iran protests expand from Tehran’s Grand Bazaar to students The protests, which began on Dec. 28 with Tehran bazaar merchants angered by economic policies they say favor the regime over the...
“Something feels different this time,” said Javid, speaking from his taxi as he drives through the streets of Tabriz, which have so far been less affected than other cities by the protest movement that has swept Iran for the past 10 days. As passengers alight and descend in the back seat, they speak openly of “an ending that is coming.”“Everyone wants change,” said the 36-year-old taxi driver.“Before, fear would stop us from even thinking, let alone talking about it,” he said, adding that this newfound openness marks a “very clear shift.” “It is very moving,” he said. “And I feel I’m on the front line, able to see it for myself.” How it started Iran protests expand from Tehran’s Grand Bazaar to students The protests, which began on Dec. 28 with Tehran bazaar merchants angered by economic policies...
