Iran is experiencing widespread unrest, beginning December 28, 2025, driven by severe economic hardship, including nearly 50% inflation and a devalued currency. Protests have spread to over 300 locations, uniting diverse segments of society, including the traditional base and ethnic peripheries, against the ruling clerical establishment. The government's response involves mass arrests and internet blackouts. While the regime faces an existential challenge fueled by collapsing living standards and demands for systemic change, its survival is bolstered by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The instability has geopolitical implications for the region due to Iran's network of allied militias.