Iran (Rajeev Sharma): Iran is witnessing a renewed surge of public unrest as demonstrations driven by economic hardship spread beyond major cities, resulting in at least seven deaths over the past two days, officials and independent monitors said. The incidents mark the most serious escalation since protests began earlier this week over inflation, job insecurity and the plunging value of the national currency.
While gatherings in Tehran appeared to lose momentum, unrest intensified in provincial towns, particularly in western and southern regions populated largely by the Lur ethnic community. Fatal incidents were reported from four separate locations between Wednesday and Thursday, involving both protesters and members of the security forces.
The deadliest clashes were reported in Azna, in Lorestan province, where residents described a tense night marked by fires on roadways and heavy security presence. Video clips shared online showed chaotic scenes as loud bangs echoed through the streets. Iran’s semi-official media confirmed three deaths in the town, though state television offered minimal detail about the disturbances.
Violence was also reported in Lordegan, a city in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, where demonstrators were seen confronting security forces late Thursday. Rights organizations outside Iran said two protesters lost their lives there. Images circulating online appeared to show armed police officers deployed to disperse crowds. The region has previously been the site of unrest, including protests several years ago over public health concerns.
In central Iran, Fuladshahr in Isfahan province reported another fatality during a demonstration. While official media acknowledged a death, activist networks alleged that security forces opened fire on protesters, a claim authorities have not publicly addressed.
Separately, tensions rose on Wednesday night in Kouhdasht, where a 21-year-old member of the Basij, a volunteer wing of the Revolutionary Guard, was killed during a protest. Government-linked news agencies blamed demonstrators for his death, while local officials said multiple Basij members and police officers were injured. At least 20 people were detained following the incident, according to the judiciary.
Provincial authorities have openly linked the protests to worsening economic conditions. Iran’s rial has suffered a steep decline, with the dollar now trading at about 1.4 million rials, eroding purchasing power and fueling public frustration. “Economic pressure and inflation are at the heart of these gatherings,” one senior official said, while cautioning against unrest turning violent.
President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration has attempted to strike a conciliatory tone, acknowledging public grievances but admitting limited capacity to reverse the economic downturn amid ongoing sanctions. State television, meanwhile, reported the arrest of several individuals accused of ties to foreign-based opposition groups and announced the seizure of a large cache of illegal firearms.
In an apparent effort to limit demonstrations, authorities declared public holidays across much of the country, officially citing cold weather and religious observances. Analysts noted that such measures have previously been used to disperse crowds and reduce protest activity in major urban centers.
Although the current demonstrations have not yet reached the scale of the nationwide protests sparked in 2022 by the death of Mahsa Amini, slogans heard during recent rallies suggest growing anger toward Iran’s ruling establishment. The unrest also comes at a sensitive time for Tehran, following recent military tensions with Israel and ongoing disputes with Western powers over Iran’s nuclear program.
As protests continue to flare in pockets across the country, the government faces mounting pressure to address economic grievances that show no sign of easing.
