Iran protesters try to break into government building as unrest continues

[GJGCA]

Source: BBC

By Tuesday, university students were involved and they had spread to several cities, with people chanting against the country's clerical rulers.

The protests have been the most widespread since an uprising in 2022 sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who was accused by morality police of not wearing her veil properly. But they have not been on the same scale.

To prevent any escalation, tight security is now reported in the areas of Tehran where the demonstrations began.

President Masoud Pezeshkian has said his government will listen to the "legitimate demands" of the protesters.

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2d7g8krj2po.amp

[riversedge]

1. NYTimes: Most of Iran Shuts Down as Government Grapples With Protests and Economy Amid mounting street protests, busin

Most of Iran Shuts Down as Government Grapples With Protests and Economy
Amid mounting street protests, businesses, universities and government offices stayed closed Wednesday under government orders, in 21 of 31 provinces, including Tehran.

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/w...

Most of Iran Shuts Down as Government Grapples With Protests and Economy
Amid mounting street protests, businesses, universities and government offices stayed closed Wednesday under government orders, in 21 of 31 provinces, including Tehran.

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/w...

— (@oceancalm.bsky.social) 2026-01-01T01:15:59.692Z

[cbabe]

2. Satellite Imagery Shows Tehran's Accelerating Water Crisis

https://www.circleofblue.org/2025/world/satellite-imagery-shows-tehrans-accelerating-water-crisis/

Satellite Imagery Shows Tehran’s Accelerating Water Crisis

By Circle of Blue
December 22, 2025

Tehran is experiencing an unprecedented water crisis. Satellite imagery analysis shows that key reservoirs that feed the capital are far below their typical seasonal variation. The Iranian president has warned that Iran has “no choice” but to move the location of the capital due to the water crisis. In the short term, water rationing has been imposed on some neighborhoods, and authorities may have to evacuate residents from Tehran. This crisis is driven by mounting demand for water, a historic drought, and persistent mismanagement. The Iranian government faces no easy way out, as necessary reforms would undercut the regime’s political economy and could risk triggering broad social unrest.

Drivers of the Crisis

Tehran’s worsening water crisis represents the chronicle of a dearth foretold. Relentlessly mounting demands, rising environmental pressures, and persistent policy deficiencies have long converged to impose unsustainable strains on the city’s water resources. However, as the capital navigates the current crisis, these underlying drivers of continuing water insecurity will remain.

… more … satellite image …