Iran protests| At least 7 reported killed during widening protests in Iran sparked by ailing economy

The city of Azna in Lorestan province saw the most serious clashes. Online videos showed fires in the streets and the sound of gunfire as people shouted “Shameless! Shameless!” The semiofficial Fars news agency said three people were killed there, AP said.

However, State media did not fully report on the violence. Journalists had earlier faced pressure during the 2022 protests.

Videos from Lordegan in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province showed people gathered in the street with gunfire heard in the background. Fars quoted an unnamed official saying two people were killed there on Thursday.

A rights group based in Washington also reported two deaths and said the victims were protesters. The group also shared an image showing a police officer with body armour and a shotgun.

‘Protests due to economic pressures’

Another incident on Wednesday led to the death of a 21-year-old member of the Basij, a volunteer force linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, AP reported. An official in Lorestan said the Guard member “was martyred … at the hands of rioters during protests”, and said 13 other Basij members and police officers were injured.

“The protests that have occurred are due to economic pressures, inflation and currency fluctuations, and are an expression of livelihood concerns”, He said.

He added that people’s voices should be heard, but warned that protesters should not allow others to misuse their demands. Authorities said 20 people were arrested in Kouhdasht and that calm had returned.

Currency fall worsens tensions

Iran’s rial has lost value sharply, with $1 now costing about 1.4 million rials, AP reported. President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the government wants to engage with protesters but has limited room to act.

State television also reported the arrest of seven people it linked to opposition groups, and said security forces seized about 100 pistols in a separate operation.

The protests began over economic hardship but some demonstrators have also voiced opposition to Iran’s ruling system. The situation follows months of regional tension and economic strain under sanctions.