TEHRAN – State media and rights groups said at least six people were killed in western Iran on Thursday, after clashes flared between protesters and security forces. These were the first reported deaths since a new wave of Iranian protests began nearly a week ago, driven by anger over rising prices and the cost-of-living crisis.
The deaths were reported after confrontations in the southwestern city of Lordegan and in Azna, in Lorestan province, about 300 km (185 miles) south-west of Tehran. Demonstrators clashed with police and Revolutionary Guards.
The semi-official Fars news agency said three people died and 17 were injured in Azna. The Norway-based rights group Hengaw said two people were killed in Lordegan, and accused security forces of firing on crowds. Witnesses and videos shared on social media showed protesters throwing stones, while security forces used tear gas and, in some cases, live rounds.
Unrest Spreads Nationwide in Iran
Protests continued into Saturday, the seventh day of unrest, with reports of demonstrations in several cities and towns. These included Tehran, Mashhad, and parts of the west and south.
The movement started with strikes by shopkeepers in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar after the rial fell further and prices jumped. It has since widened into broader anger about economic policy and, in some chants, the clerical leadership.
Social media videos showed protesters in Lordegan carrying bodies away from the street. Other clips appeared to show people forcing their way into a local courthouse after news of the killings spread.
In Tehran, state media said at least 30 people were arrested for “disturbing public order”. Security forces were deployed in large numbers to stop crowds from growing. Protest slogans reported from the streets included “Mullahs must leave Iran” and “Until the mullah is shrouded, this homeland will not be free”.
Observers said the tone has shifted from prices and wages to open anger at the leadership. The unrest follows earlier protest waves, including those in 2022 after Mahsa Amini died in custody, but analysts said this round is tied closely to daily financial strain.
Economic Pressure Sits at the Centre of the Protests
The protests were triggered by a sharp drop in the value of the Iranian rial, which has reached record lows against the US dollar. That slide has fed into inflation, which has sat around 40 to 50% in recent years. Many households say basics such as bread, fuel, and medicine now cost too much, pushing more people below the poverty line.
Roya Boroumand, managing director of the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran, told Reuters that the protests are driven by “the drop in the value of currency and its impact on the cost of living”. She added that “Iranians are living below poverty lines in increasing numbers and have no hope of any notable improvement.”
Iran’s economic troubles have been linked to US sanctions reimposed in 2018 after Washington left the nuclear deal, along with corruption and poor management at home, plus the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Iran’s central bank governor resigned earlier this week.
The government has said it will address “legitimate demands”, but many protesters say they don’t believe promises will lead to real change. In provinces such as Lorestan, where unemployment is high and services can be limited, clashes have been especially intense. Reports also said a Basij volunteer linked to the Revolutionary Guards was killed during the violence.
Government Moves to Calm the Streets
President Masoud Pezeshkian has tried to lower tensions. He described the grievances as “legitimate” and called for dialogue. In a televised address, he said, “From an Islamic perspective, if we do not resolve the issue of people’s livelihoods, we will end up in hell,” and stressed the need to deal with inflation and currency swings.
Saeed Pourali, a deputy governor in Lorestan, said the protests reflected “livelihood concerns”, while warning that “enemies” could try to exploit the situation.
Even with these messages, security forces have stepped up their presence. There were also reports of internet restrictions in affected areas, which can limit the spread of videos and make it harder for demonstrators to organise.
Hengaw accused the Revolutionary Guards of using excessive force, including firing directly at protesters, leading to injuries and deaths. The full number of arrests has not been confirmed, though activists said hundreds have been detained since the protests began on Sunday.
Global Reaction and a Familiar Pattern
The violence has drawn attention abroad. US President Donald Trump posted a warning on his Truth Social account: “If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.” Iranian officials rejected the remarks as interference and warned that any US involvement could increase instability across the Middle East.
The current unrest is the biggest since the 2022 women’s rights protests, which ended with hundreds dead and thousands arrested. Iran also saw deadly economic protests in 2019 after fuel prices rose, with estimates of more than 1,500 killed in the crackdown.
Human rights advocates have called for independent inquiries into the latest deaths and urged the international community to press Tehran to respect the right to peaceful protest. As demonstrations continue into the weekend, tensions remain high, and many fear further violence if calls for economic relief and political change are ignored.
