Iran Protests Turn Deadly as Security Forces Clash with Demonstrators
Iran – A member of Iran’s security forces was killed on Thursday during the fourth day of protests triggered by a sharp fall in the country’s currency, according to the semi-official Fars News Agency.
Fatal Incident in Kouhdasht
The fatality occurred in Kouhdasht, located in western Lorestan province. Fars cited regional official Said Pourali, reporting that several security personnel were also injured. BBC Persian verified footage showing security forces firing at protesters in the city.
A 21-year-old member of the Basij, a paramilitary force linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, was killed during confrontations. Stone throwing injured thirteen police officers and Basij members.
Protests Spread Across Provinces
Protests also erupted in the southern Fars province and western provinces including Hamedan and Lorestan. In Fasa, southern Fars, demonstrators attempted to break into a local government building. Officials reported three police officers injured and four arrests. Video shared on social media, verified by BBC, shows protesters breaking the governor’s office gate, followed by security forces firing and deploying tear gas.
Government Response and Public Holiday
Authorities in Tehran declared a bank holiday on Wednesday, reportedly to conserve energy amid cold weather, but many viewed it as an attempt to control the unrest. Schools, universities, and public offices also closed across the country.
President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the government would listen to the “legitimate demands” of protesters. Meanwhile, Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad warned that any effort to destabilize the country would face a “decisive response.”
Origins and Scope of the Protests
The demonstrations began in Tehran after shopkeepers reacted to the Iranian currency’s sharp drop against the US dollar. By Tuesday, university students joined the protests, which spread to multiple cities with chants against the country’s clerical leadership.
Although the protests are the most widespread since the 2022 uprising following the death of Mahsa Amini in custody, they remain smaller in scale. Authorities have increased security in the areas where demonstrations began.
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