On the 46th anniversary of the 1979 revolution, protests erupted across Iran as citizens took to their windows and rooftops to chant against the ruling clerical regime. According to multiple reports and videos circulated on social media, the night of February 9 saw waves of anti-government slogans echoing through Tehran and other major cities, reflecting widespread discontent with the clerical dictatorship.
In Tehran, chants of “Death to Khamenei,” “Curse on Khomeini,” and “Death to the dictator” rang out in neighborhoods such as Ekbatan, Tehranpars, Jannat Abad, Aryashahr, and around Evin Prison. Protesters also invoked the slogan “Death to the oppressor, be it the Shah or the Leader,” a phrase that underscores a rejection of both the past monarchy and the current theocracy.
The protests were not limited to the capital. In Bandar Anzali, demonstrators called for a “democratic Iranian republic led by Maryam Rajavi.” In Mashhad, Karaj, and Arak, similar slogans targeted Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Protesters in Kermanshah declared, “This year is the year of blood, Seyed Ali will be overthrown,” suggesting mounting expectations for a collapse of the regime.
Many demonstrators timed their protests to coincide with state-orchestrated firework displays celebrating the anniversary of the revolution that toppled the Shah in 1979. As the government sought to project a sense of national unity, voices from within homes and streets instead painted a starkly different picture—one of defiance and resentment.
In Jannat Abad and Ekbatan, the protests also focused on the Iranian regime’s record of executions, with chants of “Death to the executioner regime” echoing through the streets. Meanwhile, in Tehran’s northern neighborhoods, residents referenced Syria’s conflict, calling out, “Khamenei, have some shame—look at Bashar al-Assad,” a reference to the Iranian regime’s backing of the Syrian dictator.
The unrest also coincided with a worsening economic crisis. On February 9, the Iranian rial fell to a record low of 92,000 per dollar, marking a steep devaluation that intensified public frustration.
The clerical regime, meanwhile, continued its efforts to suppress dissent. Reports indicated severe internet disruptions in cities such as Shiraz, with VPNs and circumvention tools becoming increasingly unreliable. Despite this, videos of the protests spread widely on social media, underscoring the determination of Iranian citizens to make their voices heard.
As Iran’s leadership prepares for state-staged rallies on February 10, aimed at demonstrating regime support, opposition voices remain defiant.