A member of Iran’s security forces was killed during ongoing protests driven by a plummeting currency. The violence unfolded in Kouhdasht, a city in the western Lorestan province, where Amir Hessam Khodayari Fard lost his life. Reports indicated that several other security personnel were injured.
Footage verified by BBC Persian showed security forces firing on protesters. Conflicts also flared in the southern province of Fars and Hamedan. As unrest spread, the Iranian government declared a bank holiday in Tehran to calm tensions, which flared up over the weekend.
In Kouhdasht, a 21-year-old member of the paramilitary Basij was also killed during clashes. Reports suggested that 13 police officers faced injuries from stone-throwing, leading to the arrest of 20 protesters that night.
Protests erupted in other areas as well. In Fars, some tried to break into a local government building, resulting in injuries to police officers and further arrests. Videos shared online captured intense moments, including protesters breaking through the gates of a governor’s office, only to be met with tear gas and gunfire.
Schools and universities across the country were closed amid this unrest. The bank holiday was publicly justified as a move to conserve energy during cold weather. Still, many saw it as a tactic to control the situation. The protests initially began in Tehran, fueled by outrage over the Iranian currency’s drastic decline against the US dollar.
By Tuesday, university students joined the demonstrations, chanting against the ruling clerics. These protests, while extensive, haven’t reached the levels seen during the 2022 protests that followed Mahsa Amini’s death in custody.
In response, security tightened in Tehran’s protest hotspots. President Masoud Pezeshkian claimed his government would address the protesters’ “legitimate demands.” Meanwhile, prosecutor general Mohammad Movahedi-Azad warned of a strong reaction to any attempts to destabilize the country.
Recent studies suggest economic instability is a significant driver of public unrest. According to a survey by the Iranian Institute for Research and Development, nearly 70% of Iranians feel financially insecure, emphasizing the pressing need for economic reforms. The ongoing protests signify deep discontent among the populace, reflecting broader issues that the government must confront.
The situation remains fluid, and its evolution will likely be influenced by how the authorities choose to engage with the grievances being raised.
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