Week of deadly unrest in Iran as pressure builds
Human rights groups say at least 16 people have died in Iran during a week of unrest, while protests over rising inflation have spread across the country and led to violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
Deaths and arrests were reported throughout the week by both state media and rights groups, although figures vary. Reuters could not independently verify the figures.
The protests are the largest in three years. At a fragile time for the Islamic Republic, with the economy in shambles and international pressures mounting, senior figures have struck a softer tone than during some previous periods of unrest.
According to statements published by state media, President Masoud Pezeshkian told the Ministry of Internal Affairs to take a “kind and responsible” approach towards the protesters, saying that “society cannot be persuaded or calmed by coercive approaches.”
This is the most conciliatory language adopted so far by Iranian officials, who this week acknowledged economic hardship and promised dialogue even as security forces suppressed popular dissent in the streets.
US President Donald Trump threatened to come to the aid of protesters if they were subjected to violence, saying “we are locked, loaded and ready to go” on Friday, without specifying what actions he was considering.
This warning led senior Iranian officials to threaten retaliation against US forces in the region. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran “will not bow to the enemy.”
Kurdish rights group Hengaw reported that at least 17 people have been killed since the protests began. HRANA, a group of rights defenders, said at least 16 people were killed and 582 people were arrested.
Iran’s police chief, Ahmed Reza Radan, told state media that security forces had targeted protest leaders for arrest in the past two days, saying “many leaders have been detained in the virtual space.”
Police said 40 people were arrested for what they called “fake posts” about protests aimed at disturbing public opinion in the capital Tehran alone.
The most intense clashes are reported to have occurred in Iran’s western regions, but there have also been protests and clashes between demonstrators and police in Tehran, central regions and southern Balochistan province.
The protests, which started a week ago among market traders and shopkeepers, spread first to university students and then to provincial cities, where some protesters chanted slogans against Iran’s religious rulers.
Iran has faced inflation of over 36 percent since the beginning of the year, and its rial currency has lost nearly half of its value against the dollar, causing hardship for many people.
International sanctions over Iran’s nuclear program have been reimposed, the government has struggled to provide water and electricity throughout the country throughout the year, and global financial institutions are predicting a recession in 2026.
Khamenei said on Saturday that authorities would talk to protesters but “the rioters must be put in their place.”
Speaking on Sunday, Vice President Mohammed Reza Aref said the government acknowledged that the country was facing shortcomings and warned that some people were trying to exploit the protests.
In his statements reflected in the state media, Aref said, “We expect young people not to fall into the trap of the enemies.”
