- Five killed in Iran protests Thursday.
- Protests in western, southwestern regions.
- Several others injured during clashes.
More than 150 individuals gathered in the Lordegan district of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, shouting anti-government chants and throwing stones at public buildings, according to the semi-official Fars News Agency, which cited an unidentified local official.
“After police intervened, some protesters opened fire at security forces, injuring a number of officers, while two people were killed during the clashes,”
the official said.
According to Fars, a group of rioters took advantage of a public demonstration in Azna city to attack a police headquarters in Lorestan province, resulting in three additional deaths and seventeen injuries.
The site claims that conflicts resulted from the assailants' attempts to disarm officers and rush the armory using both live and cold weapons.
The violence broke out when local media reported that 20 people were taken into custody during incidents in the Lorestan province's city of Kuhdasht on Wednesday, which led to the death of a Basij force member.
The significant depreciation of the native currency, the Iranian rial, against foreign currencies and growing economic woes prompted protests by traders in Tehran's Grand Bazaar on December 28. These protests then extended to numerous other towns across the country.
“We are watching, listening, and officially acknowledging the protests, crises and challenges,”
government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said.
President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged public dissatisfaction, stating that the current economic issues are the government's fault and advising officials not to place the blame on outside entities like the United States.
What triggered the protests over the cost of living?
Demurers erupted on Sunday, December 28, 2025, when Tehran shopkeepers and emporium merchandisers launched strikes against soaring affectation( over 40), a plunging rial( nearly half its value lost in 2025), and soaring food prices( up to 72).
University scholars joined Tuesday, chanting against profitable mismanagement and indeed representing the pre ‑ 1979 Shah period, marking the first major uneasiness since June Israeli/ US strikes on Iranian nuclear spots.
President Pezeshkian conceded the" licit demands" and set up dialogue mechanisms, but clashes escalated as demurrers spread to Lur areas in the west and southwest.