Iran protests: What caused them and why are they important?

World Today

Featured Video Play IconIranian students run for cover from tear gas at the University of Tehran during a demonstration driven by anger over economic problems, in the capital Tehran on December 30, 2017.

Massive protests have been going on all over Iran since Dec 28th leaving 21 dead and hundreds injured. What started as economically driven demonstration, quickly turned into a political one. People voiced their anger over issues like inflation, high fuel and food prices and high unemployment rate. Some called for government change. Iranian people are especially angry as they expected to see tangible relief after the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. but for many, not much has changed since.

CGTN’s Elmira Jafari explains what caused these protests, why are they important and how are they different from the 2009 Iran’s green movement.