Sporadic protests have broken out in Iran, initially sparked by economic concerns but evolving to include political demands, according to local media reports. Clashes between protesters and security forces are intensifying in some areas, particularly in the west of the country.
Iran Protests Intensify, Leaving At Least 14 Dead
The demonstrations began on December 28 with shopkeepers staging a strike over economic issues. However, over the past week, the protests have grown in size and scope, with participants now voicing political grievances.
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated on Saturday that the protests have not yet reached a nationwide scale and are not rapidly gaining momentum. He acknowledged that protests occur “from time to time and sporadically,” citing recent demonstrations in Tehran, Kazerun, and other cities.
Khamenei reported that 14 people, including members of security forces, have been killed since the demonstrations began. He also warned that “rioters must be put in their place,” while stating a willingness to engage in dialogue with protesters.
Saturday evening’s protests in Tehran were described as “limited,” consisting of groups ranging from 50 to 200 young people, according to the semiofficial Fars news agency. Demonstrations were reported in several districts of the capital, including Novobat, Tehran Pars, Ekteban, Sadeghieh, Sattarkhan, Naziabad, and Abdolabad.
Riots Reported in Malekshahi
Protesters have been chanting slogans such as “death to the dictator,” Fars reported. While most incidents in Tehran involved stone throwing and the burning of rubbish bins, the situation in other regions, particularly western Iran, has been more violent.
In Malekshahi, a county in western Iran with a significant Kurdish population, a member of the security forces was killed during clashes on Saturday. Reports indicate that “rioters attempted to storm a police station,” resulting in the deaths of two assailants.
Local media accounts of the protests are not comprehensive, and state-run outlets have limited their coverage. Videos circulating on social media are often difficult to verify.
Khamenei’s remarks on Saturday recognized the economic problems facing the country, which analysts say lends some legitimacy to the protests. However, he also made it clear that the government would not tolerate violence.
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