Tehran (TDI): Clashes between demonstrators and security forces in several Iranian cities on Thursday resulted in six deaths, marking the first fatalities since the recent cost-of-living protests began.
The unrest started on Sunday in Tehran, when shopkeepers staged strikes to protest soaring prices and a stagnant economy. Since then, demonstrations have spread to other cities across the country.
According to Iranian media, two people were killed in Lordegan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, during confrontations between protesters and security forces. Three others died in Azna, in the neighboring Lorestan province. Some demonstrators had thrown stones at key administrative buildings, including the governor’s office, town hall, banks, mosques, and the Martyrs’ Foundation. Police responded with tear gas, and several individuals were arrested, described as “ringleaders” of the unrest.
In Azna, the rioters targeted a local police station, exploiting the protest gathering. Iranian state media often refer to participants in such demonstrations as “rioters.”
Earlier Thursday, state television reported the death of a 21-year-old Basij volunteer in Kouhdasht, western Iran. According to Said Pourali, deputy governor of Lorestan, the volunteer was killed “while defending public order.” Thirteen other security personnel, including police and Basij members, were injured after being hit by stones. The Basij are a paramilitary force affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
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Though these protests are smaller than the 2022 nationwide unrest triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini in custody, tensions have grown as students from at least ten universities joined the demonstrations on Tuesday.
President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged calm, acknowledging the “legitimate demands” of protesters and calling for immediate government action to improve living standards. “From an Islamic perspective, if we do not address people’s livelihood issues, we will end up in hell,” he said during a televised event.
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Authorities have simultaneously warned of a firm response against anyone trying to exploit the protests for chaos. Local media coverage has varied, with some outlets emphasizing economic grievances, while others focused on the destruction caused by “troublemakers.”
