Currency collapse and soaring inflation: Iran protests turn deadly — 10 things to know
Widespread protests have erupted across Iran, fueled by a severe economic crisis and soaring inflation. At least seven people, including protesters and security personnel, have died in clashes as demonstrations spread from Tehran to rural provinces. Authorities have responded with security adjustments and a public holiday, while the Supreme Leader faces mounting pressure from multiple crises.
Photo credit: AP, ANI
At least seven people, including protesters and security personnel, have been killed as Iran faces widening protests over its ailing economy, authorities said. The demonstrations, the biggest in the country since 2022, entered the fifth day on Thursday spreading from Tehran to several rural provinces amid soaring inflation, record currency collapse, and growing civil disobedience, reported AP.
Iran Explodes Against Khamenei: Streets On Fire, Anti-Govt Protests Turn Deadly Amid Inflation Fury
The protests began on Sunday in Tehran’s major bazaars after the rial plunged to record lows, sharply increasing prices and living costs. By Tuesday, unrest spread to students and residents in multiple cities, including Shiraz, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Fasa. Videos showed protesters chanting slogans like “Death to the Dictator” and “Death to Khamenei” while clashing with security forces. According to the NY Post, additional footage from MEK shows crowds across Iran chanting slogans such as “Death to Khamenei!” and “Shame on you, shame on you!” as protests, particularly led by bazaar merchants in Tehran, continue to spread nationwide.
Iran Protests- Timeline
President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged public anger and promised to listen to the “legitimate demands” of protesters, while warning against attempts to create instability. Authorities also made economic and security adjustments, appointing a new central bank chief and tightening security around universities.The current wave of unrest is the largest since the 2022 protests following Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody, highlighting broader public frustration over inflation, unemployment, water shortages, and governance issues.
10 things to know:
- Seven killed in two days: Authorities and rights groups reported seven deaths over Wednesday and Thursday, including both demonstrators and members of Iran’s security forces. At least one death occurred in clashes, state media said, as the government tried to quell unrest fueled by financial woes.
- Protests spread beyond Tehran: Demonstrations, initially concentrated in Tehran, have widened to several provinces, including areas with significant Lur populations. The geographic spread has raised concerns of a tougher security response.
- Azna emerges as violence hotspot: Clashes were most intense in Azna, Lorestan province, where online videos showed fires burning and gunfire echoing through the streets. Semiofficial Fars news agency reported three deaths there.