Beginning on Dec. 28, the demonstrations by what are thought to be millions of protestors began in fury over Iran’s worsening economic crisis – particularly rampant inflation and devaluation of the rial, the Iranian currency – civil rights abuses, food, water and energy shortages and official corruption. The uprising is now targeting the ruling Islamic theocracy, headed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, age 86, chief of the Islamic Republic.