Two people are reported to have been killed during growing unrest in Iran on the fifth day of protests over the soaring cost of living. Both the semi-official Fars news agency and human rights group, Hengaw, said people had died during clashes between protesters and security forces in the city of Lordegan, in south-western Iran.
On Thursday videos posted on social media showed cars set on fire during running battles between protesters and security forces. Many protesters have called for ending the rule of the country's supreme leader. Some have also called for a return to the monarchy, as discontent over economic conditions continues to rise.
Thursday marks the fifth day of protests in several cities across the country, sparked by a currency collapse. Verified videos by BBC Persian show protests occurring in Lordegan, the capital Tehran, and Marvdasht.
According to Fars, the two fatalities occurred in Lordegan, but it remains unclear if they were protesters or security personnel. Rights group Hengaw claims that both deceased were protesters, identifying them as Ahmad Jalil and Sajjad Valamanesh. The BBC has not been able to independently verify these claims.
Additionally, a member of the security forces was reportedly killed in clashes with protests in Kudasht on Wednesday night, leading to further unrest. The protests, which have become the most extensive since the 2022 uprising after the death of Mahsa Amini, have prompted the government to declare a holiday for schools and universities to mitigate the situation.
President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the government will consider the legitimate demands of the protesters, while the prosecutor general has warned against instability, promising a decisive response to such attempts.
On Thursday videos posted on social media showed cars set on fire during running battles between protesters and security forces. Many protesters have called for ending the rule of the country's supreme leader. Some have also called for a return to the monarchy, as discontent over economic conditions continues to rise.
Thursday marks the fifth day of protests in several cities across the country, sparked by a currency collapse. Verified videos by BBC Persian show protests occurring in Lordegan, the capital Tehran, and Marvdasht.
According to Fars, the two fatalities occurred in Lordegan, but it remains unclear if they were protesters or security personnel. Rights group Hengaw claims that both deceased were protesters, identifying them as Ahmad Jalil and Sajjad Valamanesh. The BBC has not been able to independently verify these claims.
Additionally, a member of the security forces was reportedly killed in clashes with protests in Kudasht on Wednesday night, leading to further unrest. The protests, which have become the most extensive since the 2022 uprising after the death of Mahsa Amini, have prompted the government to declare a holiday for schools and universities to mitigate the situation.
President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the government will consider the legitimate demands of the protesters, while the prosecutor general has warned against instability, promising a decisive response to such attempts.
