Several fatalities have occurred in confrontations between security forces and demonstrators in various places in Iran. International media reported this on Thursday. The Fars news agency semi-affiliated with the Iranian regime speaks of two deaths, Al Jazeera reports at least five deaths. Since Monday, demonstrations have been taking place in various cities in Iran against the ever-rising costs of living. The value of the Iranian currency is plummeting.
In the southern city of Loredegan, demonstrators reportedly threw at government buildings and bank offices, after which security forces used tear gas. According to Fars, two people were killed. Human rights group Hengaw says the deaths involved two protesters. The BBC tried to verify this, so far in vain.
In the town of Azna, about three hundred kilometers from the capital Thehran, three people were killed and seventeen others were injured, reports said. Al Jazeera. The Arab news channel writes that video footage shows items on fire in the streets, gunshots ringing out and demonstrators chanting “shameless, shameless.”
It is unclear exactly how extensive the protests are. Under Iran’s repressive regime, large-scale demonstrations are a rarity. In 2022, the country experienced a major wave of protests following the death of Masha Amini.
Shop owners are closing their doors due to the protest in Tehran, among others.
Photo Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu/Getty Images
Iranians walk past closed shops at a central bazaar in Tehran.
Photo Majid Asgaripour/WANA/Reuters
A woman shopping on the street in Tehran on December 31, where protests have been going on for days due to skyrocketing inflation.
Photo ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH/EPA
Former Olympic wrestler Moslem Eskandar-Filabi demonstrated against the Iranian regime in Washington on December 31.
Photo Evan Vucci/AP
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