Iran’s protests erupted as the collapsing rial, soaring inflation and austerity reforms collided with years of sanctions and corruption, leaving households squeezed. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2026/01/13/world/economics-behind-irans-protests/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #worldnews #iran #us #donaldtrump #alikhamenei #middleeast