Deadly clashes, economic distress: What’s happening in Iran and why are people protesting?

Merchants, shop owners and students across several cities have been demonstrating for days, with major bazaars shutting down in protest. The economic distress has been exacerbated by years of US and Western sanctions over Iran’s nuclear programme, along with rising regional tensions.

Where has violence been reported?

According to Iranian media and rights groups, unrest overnight into Thursday turned deadly in multiple regions. The semi-official Fars news agency and rights group Hengaw reported deaths in Lordegan, a city in western Iran. Authorities confirmed one death in the western city of Kuhdasht, while Hengaw reported another death in the central province of Isfahan.

Fars reported that two people had been killed in Lordegan in clashes between security services and what it described as armed protesters. Hengaw said several people had been killed and wounded there by security forces.

In Kuhdasht, the Revolutionary Guards said one member of its affiliated Basij volunteer paramilitary unit had been killed and another 13 wounded, blaming demonstrators who it accused of “taking advantage of the protests”. Hengaw, however, said the man, named by the Revolutionary Guards as Amirhossam Khodayari Fard, had been protesting and was killed by security forces.

Hengaw also reported that a protester was shot dead Wednesday in Isfahan province. Reuters said it could not independently verify these claims.

Protests were also reported Thursday in Marvdasht in southern Fars province, according to activist news site HRANA. Hengaw said demonstrators were detained Wednesday in the western provinces of Kermanshah, Khuzestan and Hamedan.

Why is this critical moment for Iran’s leadership?

The unrest comes at a particularly volatile time for Iran’s clerical rulers. Western sanctions continue to weigh heavily on the economy, while inflation remains stubbornly high. The situation has worsened after Israeli and US airstrikes in June targeted Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and military leadership.

Iran was also involved in a 12-day air war with Israel in June, further straining government finances and adding to public anger.

How has Iran government responded?

Tehran has paired a security crackdown with an apparent attempt at outreach. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said Thursday that authorities would hold direct dialogue with representatives of trade unions and merchants, though no further details were provided.

At the same time, security forces remain deployed on the streets. The Basij, a volunteer paramilitary force loyal to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, has been involved in confronting protesters. The Revolutionary Guards accused those involved in the unrest in Kuhdasht of “taking advantage of the atmosphere of popular protests”.

The government also shut down much of the country Wednesday by declaring a public holiday due to cold weather, a move that coincided with the height of the demonstrations.

Is this the first such protest movement?

No. Iranian authorities have repeatedly faced waves of protests in recent years, driven by issues ranging from rising prices and water shortages to women’s rights and political freedoms. These protests have often been met with tough security measures and widespread arrests.

However, the scale and economic roots of the current unrest, combined with Iran’s fragile geopolitical position, make this wave particularly significant.

(With inputs from Reuters)