Iran Protests Spread, Several Reported Killed

At least six people have died as protests driven by rising living costs continue to spread across Iran, according to local media reports.

Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency said that three people were killed and at least 17 others injured during demonstrations in Azna, a city in Lorestan province, around 300 kilometers southwest of Tehran. Footage circulating online showed fires burning in the streets as gunshots rang out and protesters chanted slogans condemning authorities.

Fars reported that two people were killed during unrest in Lordegan, located in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, south of the capital. The agency said demonstrators hurled stones at government buildings, including the governor’s office, mosques, banks and municipal offices, prompting police to use tear gas to disperse the crowd.

State television also reported that a member of the security forces was killed overnight in the western city of Kouhdasht. A provincial official said a 21-year-old member of the Basij volunteer force died while attempting to maintain public order. The Basij is affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The unrest comes as Iran faces severe economic pressure, with inflation nearing 40 percent amid ongoing Western sanctions. Tensions have also been heightened by Israeli and US air strikes in June that targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities and military leadership.

Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera correspondent Tohid Asadi said the government appeared to be responding more cautiously than during previous protest waves. Officials have acknowledged economic hardship and said efforts are underway to address public grievances.

Iran last experienced widespread demonstrations in 2022 and 2023 following the death of Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody after being detained for allegedly violating dress regulations. The current protests began peacefully in Tehran before spreading to other cities, including university campuses, where students from at least 10 institutions joined demonstrations earlier this week.

President Masoud Pezeshkian has attempted to ease tensions, recognizing protesters’ demands and urging officials to act quickly to improve economic conditions. He warned that ignoring people’s livelihoods would have serious moral consequences.

Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said authorities would engage in direct talks with representatives of trade unions and business groups. At the same time, officials have warned they will act firmly against violence or damage to public property.

Iran’s prosecutor general said attempts to exploit economic protests to create instability would face a decisive legal response. Meanwhile, the Tasnim news agency reported the arrest of seven individuals accused of links to opposition groups abroad.

The protests are unfolding during an extended weekend, after authorities unexpectedly declared Wednesday a public holiday, citing energy shortages due to cold weather.