A timeline of how the protests in Iran unfolded and the crackdown that followed

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Demonstrations broke out in Iran on Dec. 28 and spread nationwide as protesters vent their increasing discontent over the Islamic Republic’s faltering economy and the collapse of its currency. While the initial focus had been on issues like spikes in the prices of food staples and the country’s staggering annual inflation rate, protesters began chanting anti-government statements and directly challenging Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran shut down the internet Jan. 8 and embarked on a major crackdown, reportedly killing thousands of people. The U.S. then moved an aircraft carrier into the Mideast and threatened to attack Iran, sparking new diplomatic negotiations.

Here is how the protests and the geopolitical tensions developed:

Dec. 28: Protests break out in two major markets in downtown Tehran, after the Iranian rial plunged to 1.42 million to the U.S. dollar, a record low, compounding inflationary pressure and pushing up the prices of food and other daily necessities. The government had raised prices for nationally subsidized gasoline in earl...