Iranian Protests Over Economic Crisis Turn Deadly

Nationwide protests in Iran over the country's economic crisis have escalated, resulting in multiple fatalities among both demonstrators and security forces. The unrest, now in its fifth day, was initially sparked by the Iranian rial's sharp depreciation, which has significantly increased living costs for citizens.

In the southwestern city of Lordegan, two individuals were reported killed during clashes between protesters and security forces. The semi-official Fars news agency cited an informed official confirming the deaths, though it did not specify whether the deceased were protesters or security personnel. The human rights group Hengaw identified the victims as protesters Ahmad Jalil and Sajjad Valamanesh. Additionally, in the western city of Kuhdasht, a member of the paramilitary Basij force was reportedly killed during confrontations with demonstrators. State media also reported that 13 police officers and Basij members were injured by stone-throwing in the area.

The protests began in Tehran, with shopkeepers expressing anger over the currency's collapse, and have since spread to several cities, including Isfahan, Shiraz, and Mashhad. Demonstrators have been chanting slogans against the country's clerical rulers and calling for economic justice. Videos verified by BBC Persian show protests in the central city of Lordegan, the capital Tehran, and Marvdasht in the southern Fars province taking place on Thursday.

In response to the escalating unrest, President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that his government would listen to the "legitimate demands" of the protesters. However, Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad warned that any attempt to create instability would be met with a "decisive response." Schools, universities, and public institutions were closed across the country on Wednesday after a bank holiday was declared by authorities, ostensibly to save energy because of the cold weather, though it was seen by many Iranians as an attempt to contain the protests.

The current demonstrations are the most widespread since the 2022 protests sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a young woman accused by morality police of not wearing her veil properly. However, they have not reached the same scale as the previous unrest. To prevent any escalation, tight security is now reported in the areas of Tehran where the demonstrations began.

The Iranian government has also taken steps to address the economic crisis fueling the protests. Amid a deepening economic crisis and widespread protests, Iran appointed a new central bank governor, Abdolnasser Hemmati, replacing Mohammad Reza Farzin, who resigned after the Iranian rial hit a record low of 1.38 million to the U.S. dollar. President Masoud Pezeshkian's Cabinet made the appointment following massive protests sparked by inflation nearing 40% and the currency's rapid depreciation—from 430,000 rials to its current level since Farzin took office in 2022. Hemmati, a former economic minister previously dismissed by parliament for fiscal mismanagement, is now tasked with stabilizing the currency, curbing inflation, and reforming banking mismanagement.

The situation remains tense as authorities continue to grapple with the economic challenges and public discontent driving the protests.