Chaos, Stone-Throwing And Bloodshed: Why Deadly Demonstrations Sweep Iran | World News

Teheran: Widespread protests have broken out in many provinces of Iran in recent days due to worsening economic conditions, and some demonstrations turned violent after clashes between protesters and security forces, CNN reported.

At least two people were killed during clashes with police on the morning of Thursday, January 1, in Lordegan district of southwestern Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, according to the state-run Fars News Agency cited by CNN.

It is not yet known whether those killed were civilians or members of the security forces. Some reports claim that several protesters were armed and opened fire on law enforcement, although no independent verification was provided.

Unverified videos circulating on social media showed protesters throwing stones at uniformed police, while Fars News Agency reported that the governor’s office, banks and other government buildings in the region were attacked.

Meanwhile, tensions escalated on Wednesday (December 31, 2025) night in Kuhdasht city of Lorestan province, where one member of Iran’s Basij paramilitary force was killed and 13 others were injured during fierce clashes, CNN reported, citing state media reports. A video published by local agencies claims that a police officer who was set on fire during the incidents is receiving medical treatment.

According to CNN, based on Tasnim News Agency, the Basij paramilitary group, which is frequently deployed by the regime to suppress protests, arrested 20 people during the riots in Kuhdasht, according to the prosecutor.

This week’s wave of protests saw the participation of shopkeepers, marketers and students in many cities; Many of them chanted anti-regime slogans and expressed anger at the collapse of the national currency to record lows and the worsening economic situation.

These demonstrations represent the largest wave of unrest in Iran since 2022, when protests broke out across the country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody after she was arrested for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly.