TEHRAN: A wave of deadly unrest swept across Iran on Thursday as protests over soaring living costs turned violent, leaving at least six dead the first fatalities since the demonstrations erupted.
What began as a strike by Tehran shopkeepers protesting high prices and economic stagnation has escalated into confrontations between citizens and security forces, highlighting mounting public anger over the country’s economic hardships.
According to Iran’s Fars news agency, two people were killed in clashes in Lordegan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, and three in Azna, Lorestan province.
Protesters reportedly targeted administrative buildings, including the provincial governor’s office, town hall, banks, mosques, and the Martyrs’ Foundation. Security forces responded with tear gas, and several alleged ringleaders were arrested.
Fars reported that in Azna, protesters took advantage of the gathering to attack a local police commissariat. Many buildings in Lordegan were severely damaged during the clashes.
State media has consistently described participants in previous demonstrations as “rioters,” a label now applied to the current unrest.
The demonstrations, which began on Sunday in Tehran, have since spread to other parts of the country, reflecting widespread frustration over rising costs and economic stagnation. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as tensions escalate.
