Here's everything you need to know about the protests rocking Iran by Sonam Sheth on Dec 31, 2017, 5:49 PM Advertisement
 Iran was rocked this week by the largest protests in the country since 2009. Pro- and anti-government demonstrators took to the streets starting Thursday, and gradually moved from the outer cities into the capital, Tehran, and Iran's second-largest city, Mashhad. The protests have since attracted global attention, and footage of the action has been shared hundreds of thousands of time on social media. The demonstrations became so widely publicized that Iran blocked access to Instagram and a popular messaging app used by activists to organize and discuss the protests. Here's what you need to know about the demonstrations: SEE ALSO: Protesters in Iran clash with pro-government hardliners in the country's largest demonstrations since 2009 Demonstrators began taking to the streets on Thursday.  At first, they were protesting against Iran's dire economic downturn and the skyrocketing prices of basic necessities like eggs and poultry. As things gained steam, however, the demonstrations took on a more political edge, with activists slamming the Iranian government for alleged corruption and calling on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to step down.
The protests drew global attention as activists began posting photos and videos of the demonstrations to social media.  Some videos showed protesters chanting "Death to the dictator!" and "Death to [Iranian President Hassan] Rouhani." Other footage showed activists shouting slogans like, "We don't want Islamic Republic!"
As the demonstrations escalated, pro-government protesters flooded the streets on Saturday to counter the anti-corruption activists.  Iranian hard-liners who support President Rouhani, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the clerical establishment of the Islamic Republic came out in droves this weekend to retaliate against the demonstrators.
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