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Unrest escalates across Iran amid economic crisis
Violent clashes between anti-government demonstrators and security forces erupted in multiple Iranian cities on Wednesday, marking the 11th consecutive day of nationwide protests fueled by deepening economic turmoil.
Security forces report fatalities
The semi-official Fars news agency, affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guards, stated that two police officers were fatally shot in the southwestern town of Lordegan. The agency identified the victims as Hadi Azarsalim and Moslem Mahdavinasab, alleging they were targeted by armed individuals among protesters.
Independent verification of the incident remains difficult, as international media face severe restrictions in Iran. Lordegan has been a hotspot for unrest, with two protesters killed there last week.
Protests spread to over 100 cities
The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) reported that demonstrations have now reached 111 cities and towns across all 31 Iranian provinces. At least 34 protesters and four security personnel have died since the unrest began, with over 2,200 arrests recorded. BBC Persian has independently confirmed the identities of 21 deceased protesters, while Iranian authorities acknowledge five security force deaths.
Economic grievances spark political defiance
The protests erupted on December 28 after shopkeepers in Tehran demonstrated against the rial's sharp depreciation. The currency has hit record lows over the past year, with inflation soaring to 40%, exacerbated by international sanctions over Iran's nuclear program and domestic mismanagement.
University students soon joined the movement, which rapidly expanded to include chants against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and expressions of support for Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's late shah.
Footage captures confrontations
Videos verified by BBC Persian showed intense standoffs in several cities. In Qazvin, northwest of Tehran, crowds chanted "Death to the dictator," while in the Gulf port of Bandar Abbas, protesters called for police support before being dispersed. In Mashhad, a Shia holy city, demonstrators clashed with security forces, forcing them to retreat. Other footage depicted protesters in Abadan, near Iraq's border, chanting anti-clerical slogans as security forces fired on retreating crowds.
As night fell, tear gas was used to break up a protest in Aligudarz, where demonstrators chanted "People's uprising, Viva!"
Government response: concessions and crackdowns
Following a cabinet meeting, Vice-President Mohammad Jafar Qaempanah announced that President Masoud Pezeshkian had ordered no security measures against peaceful protesters. However, he warned that those armed with weapons or attacking state facilities would be classified as "rioters."
State media reported the government's rollout of a $7 monthly allowance for 71 million citizens to mitigate living costs. Meanwhile, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei vowed "rapid" prosecution of "rioters" to deter further unrest.
Khamenei, who holds ultimate authority, previously urged dialogue with protesters but insisted "rioters" be suppressed. His remarks followed a warning from US President Donald Trump, who threatened intervention if Iranian forces harmed peaceful demonstrators.
Analysts weigh in on escalation risks
Dr. Sanam Vakil of Chatham House told the BBC that the protests reflect deep public frustration over economic hardship and bleak prospects. "If momentum grows, the government's response will likely turn more violent," she said.
"People are fed up. They have no prospects for the future. Day-to-day life is becoming much more difficult."
Dr. Sanam Vakil, Chatham House
University of Tehran professor Sadegh Zibakalam suggested that Trump's threats might be tempering the regime's crackdown. "Some leaders may fear provoking US intervention," he noted.
Context: Iran's most widespread unrest since 2022
The current protests are the largest since the 2022 uprising over the death of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish woman detained for alleged hijab violations. That crackdown resulted in over 550 deaths and 20,000 arrests, according to human rights groups.
