World News
Iran Protests Erupt Amid Economic Crisis; Security Forces Respond, 7 Dead
Widening protests triggered by Iran’s worsening economic conditions spread to rural provinces on Thursday, leaving at least seven people dead, including protesters and security personnel, authorities and rights groups said.
Tehran: Widening protests triggered by Iran’s worsening economic conditions spread to rural provinces on Thursday, leaving at least seven people dead, including protesters and security personnel, authorities and rights groups said. The fatalities mark the first confirmed deaths since the demonstrations began, raising fears of a tougher crackdown by the Islamic Republic.
The unrest, which has slowed in the capital Tehran but intensified in outlying regions, has become Iran’s largest wave of protests since 2022, when nationwide demonstrations erupted after the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. While the current protests have not yet reached the same scale or intensity, they have expanded steadily across multiple provinces.
According to officials, two people were killed on Wednesday and five on Thursday in four cities, most of them located in regions inhabited by Iran’s Lur ethnic community.
Violence in Multiple Provinces
The most serious violence was reported in Azna, a city in Lorestan province, about 300 km southwest of Tehran. Videos circulating online showed burning debris on streets and the sound of gunfire, as protesters shouted slogans including “Shameless! Shameless!” Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported that three people were killed in the city, though state media provided limited coverage.
In Lordegan, located in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, videos showed demonstrators gathering amid the sound of gunfire. Fars, citing an anonymous official, reported two deaths during Thursday’s protests. The Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran identified the victims as demonstrators and shared images suggesting the involvement of armed security personnel.
Meanwhile, in Fuladshahr in Isfahan province, state media confirmed the death of a man, while activist groups alleged police had opened fire on demonstrators.
Security Forces Also Report Casualties
Iranian state media also reported the death of a 21-year-old volunteer member of the Basij, a paramilitary wing of the Revolutionary Guard, during protests on Wednesday night in Kouhdasht, Lorestan province. Authorities blamed demonstrators for his death, calling him a “martyr” who was killed while maintaining public order. Officials said 13 Basij members and police personnel were injured in the clashes.
Local authorities confirmed the arrest of 20 people in Kouhdasht, saying the situation had since returned to calm.
Economic Crisis at Core of Unrest
Officials acknowledged that the protests were largely driven by economic hardship, including high inflation, unemployment and the sharp fall of Iran’s currency, with the rial now trading at around 1.4 million rials to the US dollar.
“These protests are due to economic pressures and livelihood concerns,” said Saeed Pourali, a deputy governor in Lorestan province. While urging restraint, he warned against what he described as “opportunistic elements” exploiting public anger.
Political and Security Tensions Persist
President Masoud Pezeshkian’s reformist government has attempted to project openness to dialogue, but the administration has admitted it has limited tools to stabilise the economy amid sanctions and currency collapse.
State television reported the arrest of seven people, including five alleged monarchists and two individuals linked to Europe-based groups. Authorities also claimed to have seized 100 smuggled pistols during a separate security operation.
Iran declared Wednesday a public holiday across much of the country, officially citing cold weather — a move widely seen as an attempt to reduce protest turnout. The demonstrations come as Tehran continues to face pressure following a 12-day war with Israel in June, during which US forces also bombed Iranian nuclear facilities.
While Iran has signalled it may halt uranium enrichment and remain open to negotiations to ease sanctions, talks have yet to resume. Both US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have warned Tehran against reviving its nuclear programme.
