On December 31, editorial priorities centered on the violent escalation of economic protests into their fourth day. Morning headlines from state-aligned outlets attempted to project administrative recovery, highlighting the appointment of Abdolnaser Hemmati as Central Bank governor and reporting a stabilization of gold and currency prices. Simultaneously, diaspora media focused on the transition from university strikes to broader civil unrest, reporting the use of tear gas to disperse crowds. By afternoon, a sharp narrative divide emerged regarding the city of Fasa. Critical outlets reported protesters storming the governorship and security forces responding with live ammunition, while state-aligned media pivoted to security reshuffling, specifically the appointment of Ahmad Vahidi as IRGC Deputy Chief. The evening was marked by a coordinated effort from state media to delegitimize the unrest; headlines prioritized the arrest of foreign-linked "elements" and the seizure of weapons, framing the domestic grievances as an externally orchestrated security threat.
