I watched an interview with Dr Pieczenik last night discussing why the protests are happening. 

Iran’s Corruption is Disrupting!

Dr. Steve R. Pieczenik, MD, PhD

Iran’s Corrupt Mullah Society is Erupting and Falling Apart!

"....Right now, the official unemployment rate for Iranian [Shi’ites] youth is over 40%. The exact same number as in Saudi Arabia [Sunni Muslims]. This means that an overwhelming number of Iranian’s future can no longer be entrusted to either Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khameini [Supreme Leader of Iran] or President Hassan Rouhani.

Despite the fact that foreign investments have been flowing into this talent-rich country with an unprecedented number of major construction investments; none of those ‘forty percenters’ will have access to those future jobs/projects.

Why?

Answer: Massive political/religious corruption engendered by Khameini’s righthand henchman, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard [IRG] General Suleimani. He and his military cohorts have mercilessly gobbled Iran’s commerce in full; leaving not even a morsel for the poor and destitute.

The IRG, as w/ China’s PLA, employ a completely fabricated front company called: ‘Khatam-al Anbiya’ to garner the spoils of war in the Middle East [Syria, Iraq, Yemen]. They also leech any foreign contracts [French Renault] that enter Iran. ...."

http://stevepieczenik.com/irans-corruption-is-disrupting/