Iran protests leave at least 25 dead and more than 1,000 arrested
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At least 25 people have been killed in Iran during nine days of protests sparked by the plunging value of the national currency and rising inflation, according to rights groups.
The demonstrations began in Tehran’s bazaar and have since spread to several cities in the western and southern parts of the country.
Rights groups say more than 1,000 people have been arrested.
The Kurdish Iranian group Hengaw reported that the death toll includes four people under the age of 18.
Another rights organization, HRANA, said at least 29 people have been killed, including two law enforcement agents, and that 1,203 people have been detained as of January 5.
Iranian authorities have not released a death toll for protesters but have confirmed that at least two members of the security services were killed and more than a dozen were injured. Police chief Ahmadreza Radan said law enforcement had acted firmly against what he described as rioters and pledged further arrests.
The protests are smaller than the nationwide unrest of 2022 and 2023 that followed the death of Mahsa Amini in morality police custody. However, rights groups say the current demonstrations have expanded beyond economic grievances, with some protesters chanting against Iran’s clerical leadership.
Iran remains under international pressure, with US President Donald Trump saying on Friday he would come to the aid of protesters if security forces fired on them. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded by saying Iran would not yield to its enemies.
President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for dialogue and promised economic reforms, including changes to subsidy policies set to take effect on January 10 and the replacement of the central bank chief in late December.