According to reports and videos circulating on social media, on Friday, September 19, 2025, protests in Sabzevar, a city in Iran’s Razavi Khorasan province, have begun. During the gatherings, demonstrators were heard chanting slogans directly targeting the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei.
Background
These protests emerge just days after the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death, which ignited the nationwide “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement in 2022. That movement posed one of the most significant challenges to the Islamic Republic in recent years, sparked by public fury over the mandatory hijab and widespread repression. Cities like Sabzevar have witnessed similar protest gatherings in the past.
Analysis
The resurgence of protests in Sabzevar with sharp and direct slogans such as “This year is the year of Seyed Ali’s [Khamenei’s] downfall” indicates a high potential of suppressed discontent within society. For the Islamic Republic, the return of street demonstrations is a persistent security challenge, suggesting that its repressive measures have failed to completely eradicate opposition. For regional and international observers, these events serve as a barometer of the regime’s stability and the public mood in Iran.
Conclusion
The protest gatherings in Sabzevar, while seemingly localized for now, underscore the ongoing tensions within Iranian society and the readiness of some citizens to openly challenge the country’s highest authority.
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