The 2025–2026 unrest in Iran began as economically driven protests rooted in inflation, currency collapse, water scarcity, and declining living standards, but rapidly evolved into a nationwide political challenge to the state. What started in traditional bazaars spread across most provinces, drawing in diverse social groups and escalating into sustained confrontations with security forces. Heavy repression, internet and communications shutdowns, mass arrests, and at least 45 reported deaths in the first ten days failed to restore stability, instead deepening public anger and mistrust. By early 2026, the persistence, scale, and human cost of the demonstrations underscored a profound legitimacy crisis for the Islamic Republic, revealing the limits of coercion in addressing structural economic, environmental, and governance failures.