The spreading unrest, sparked by economic protests by Tehran shopkeepers, adds to a list of pressures on the regime.

Netanyahu's words come days after Trump said he wants to "eradicate" Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programme after the two leaders met in Washington last week.View on euronews

President Donald Trump and Sen. Lindsey Graham were photographed with a signed "Make Iran Great Again" hat, as protests spread across Iran.

Tehran also increasingly cut back its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, as tensions increased over its nuclear program in recent years. The IAEA’s director-general has warned Iran could build as many as 10 nuclear bombs, should it decide to weaponize its program.

Iran's efforts to quell a wave of anti-government protests have been complicated by Donald Trump's threat to intervene on their side, a warning firmly underlined by the subsequent U.S. capture of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro,

Video footage shows protesters hurling gas canisters as police face off with crowds in Tehran’s historic Grand Bazaar on Jan. 6, 2025. (Reuters.)

Intelligence sources claim Tehran’s supreme leader will flee with up to 20 aides and family if protests escalate

The payments are the latest step to alleviate economic pressures, but given the severity of the crisis, critics say, they are likely to do little.