Reports indicate that two people died in Lordegan, located in the southwest of the country. In Lorestan province, in the city of Azna, three people also fell victim to the protests, while another was killed in Kuhdasht in western Iran. Information on whether the deceased were protesters or law enforcement officials varies.
The human rights group Hengaw claims that at least two of the deceased in Lordegan were protesters killed by security forces. Additionally, this organization reports the death of one person in Kuhdasht. At the same time, Iranian authorities confirmed that one security personnel associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was killed during the clashes, while 13 security forces were also injured.
According to reports, the protests, which initially began as peaceful demonstrations by shop owners dissatisfied with the economic situation, quickly escalated into street clashes. Protesters are setting cars on fire and throwing stones at the police, while in response, security forces are using tear gas and, as reported by human rights defenders, in some cases opening fire on demonstrators. Dozens of people have been detained.
Videos of the unrest and burning cars are appearing on social media. Students have joined the protests, and in some cities, slogans directed against the authorities are being chanted, including calls for the overthrow of the country's supreme leader.
These events are occurring against the backdrop of a severe economic situation caused by Western sanctions and high inflation, which is estimated to reach 40%. Authorities have closed schools, universities, and government institutions, officially citing energy conservation as the reason, but many citizens perceive this move as an attempt to suppress the protests.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the authorities are ready to consider the "legitimate demands" of the protesters, while the country's Attorney General warned of a "harsh response" to any attempts to destabilize the situation.
