Several individuals lost their lives amid turmoil in Iran, as confirmed by Iranian media and rights organizations on Thursday. The unrest, triggered by deteriorating economic conditions, led to violent incidents in various provinces, marking the most significant protests in the Islamic Republic in three years.
According to the semi-official Fars news agency, three protesters were killed and 17 were injured during an assault on a police station in Lorestan, a province in western Iran. The incident occurred when protesters entered the police headquarters, engaging in clashes with law enforcement and setting fire to multiple police vehicles.
Earlier reports from Fars and the rights group Hengaw indicated fatalities in Lordegan city in Charmahal and Bakhtiari province. One death was confirmed by authorities in Kuhdasht, a western city, while Hengaw reported another fatality in Isfahan, a central province.
The confrontations between protesters and security forces represent a significant escalation in the widespread unrest that began when shopkeepers initiated protests against the government’s management of a sharp currency devaluation and soaring prices.
Fars mentioned that clashes in Lordegan resulted in two deaths during confrontations between security services and what it described as armed protesters. The Revolutionary Guards disclosed the death of one Basij volunteer paramilitary member in Kuhdasht, with several others sustaining injuries.
The Basij, a volunteer paramilitary unit loyal to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was accused by the Guards of capitalizing on the ongoing protests in Kuhdasht. However, Hengaw contended that the deceased individual was a protester killed by security forces.
Hengaw also reported the fatal shooting of a protester in Isfahan province on Wednesday. Additionally, protests occurred in Marvdasht in Fars province, and HRANA, an activist news site, documented detainments of demonstrators in Kermanshah, Khuzestan, and Hamedan provinces.
The Iranian government, facing the impact of Western sanctions, severe inflation, and recent military actions, offered dialogue alongside security measures in response to the protests. Tehran announced intentions to engage in direct discussions with trades unions and merchants while addressing ongoing demonstrations across universities and bazaars.
The government’s decision to declare a holiday due to inclement weather effectively shut down significant parts of the country. In recent years, Iranian authorities have suppressed protests related to various issues through stringent security measures and widespread arrests.
Iran’s economy has long struggled due to U.S. and Western sanctions linked to its nuclear program. The Iranian rial experienced a substantial devaluation against the dollar in 2025, with official inflation peaking at 42.5% in December.
