Chants Of 'Reza Shah' And 'Death To Khamenei' Ring Out As Protests Escalate In Iran

Last Updated:January 05, 2026, 23:06 IST

Videos showed crowds chanting “Reza Shah, may your soul be happy” and “Death to Khamenei” during the protest on Monday.

Shopkeepers and traders protest in the street against the economic conditions and Iran's embattled currency in Tehran. (AFP photo)

Protesters gathered in Tehran’s Bagh-e Sepahsalar area on Monday and raised political slogans as demonstrations in Iran continued to grow.

Videos shared by Iran showed crowds chanting “Reza Shah, may your soul be happy" and “Death to Khamenei" during the protest on Monday.

The chant referring to Reza Shah Pahlavi pointed to Iran’s former monarch and the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty. Protesters also openly criticised Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Reza Shah ruled Iran from 1925 to 1941 and is widely seen as the founder of modern Iran. He introduced major reforms aimed at modernising the country, including changes to education, infrastructure and the military. However, his rule was also marked by authoritarian policies, and he was forced to abdicate during World War II. His son, Mohammad Reza Shah, was later overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The current wave of protests began on December 28, when shopkeepers in Tehran went on strike over rising prices and economic stagnation. The unrest has since spread to other cities and expanded beyond economic concerns to include political demands.

On Monday, Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, warned that authorities would show no leniency towards “rioters", while saying peaceful protest was allowed. He said prosecutors had been instructed to act firmly against those involved in violence.

According to AFP, demonstrations have taken place in 23 of Iran’s 31 provinces, affecting at least 45 cities. At least 12 people, including members of the security forces, have been killed in clashes since December 30.

Iran’s economy has been badly hit by international sanctions, with the rial losing more than a third of its value in the past year. Inflation remains high. The government has announced a monthly allowance for citizens to ease economic pressure, but protests continue, though they have not yet reached the scale of earlier nationwide unrest seen in recent years.

(With inputs from agencies)

News world Chants Of 'Reza Shah' And 'Death To Khamenei' Ring Out As Protests Escalate In Iran

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