Nationwide Defiance: The "New Era" Uprising Shakes Regional Power to Its Core

The role of the bazaari—the traditional merchant class—was pivotal. Their decision to shutter shops in late December signaled a loss of support from a group that has historically been a pillar of the Iranian social fabric. This economic paralysis served as a signal to the rest of the country that the status quo was no longer sustainable. Within days, the movement expanded from economic grievances to a direct political assault on the legitimacy of the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.