Protests continued across Iran for a sixth consecutive day on Saturday as demonstrations spread to much of the country and at least two more people were reported killed, according to Iranian state-affiliated media.
Demonstrations have taken place in 22 of Iran’s 31 provinces, driven largely by economic unrest following the collapse of the national currency. The Iranian rial has fallen to roughly 42,125 to the US dollar, fueling public anger over rising prices and deteriorating living conditions.
Iranian state media reported that two people were killed overnight in the city of Qom after a grenade exploded during protests, according to the New York Post. Security officials said one of the individuals had been carrying the grenade with the intent to attack others. Qom is located approximately 80 miles south of Tehran and is home to several Shiite religious seminaries. With those deaths, the reported number of fatalities linked to the protests has risen to at least 10 since violence began on Thursday.
In a separate incident, an unidentified member of the volunteer wing of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard was killed in the town of Harsin during an attack involving a gun and a knife, according to local outlets cited by the Associated Press.
Authorities have made multiple arrests as demonstrations continue. Iran International reported that dozens of protesters were detained on Saturday. Video footage published by the outlet showed plainclothes officers arresting a young protester in the northern city of Sari.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed the unrest in posts on social media, stating that protests are legitimate but distinguishing them from what he described as riots. “Protesting is legitimate, but protesting is different from rioting. We talk with protesters. The officials must talk with the protesters,” Khamenei wrote. “But there’s no point in talking with a rioter.”
Khamenei attributed the unrest to what he called “soft warfare,” saying it creates doubt through “deception, lies, slander, temptation, and fallacious arguments.” In a separate post, he wrote, “We will bring the enemy to its knees.”
The protests turned deadly on Thursday in the southwestern city of Lordegan, where regime forces opened fire on demonstrators, killing two people.
One of those killed was identified as Amirhossein Bayati, also known locally as “Amir Caffeine,” a café owner from Hamedan. Iran International reported that authorities prevented his family from seeing his body and confiscated their cell phones.
The second victim was identified as Sajjad Valamanesh, who was reported to be pro-monarchy and not affiliated with any political party.
Demonstrations have taken place in 22 of Iran’s 31 provinces, driven largely by economic unrest following the collapse of the national currency. The Iranian rial has fallen to roughly 42,125 to the US dollar, fueling public anger over rising prices and deteriorating living conditions.
Iranian state media reported that two people were killed overnight in the city of Qom after a grenade exploded during protests, according to the New York Post. Security officials said one of the individuals had been carrying the grenade with the intent to attack others. Qom is located approximately 80 miles south of Tehran and is home to several Shiite religious seminaries. With those deaths, the reported number of fatalities linked to the protests has risen to at least 10 since violence began on Thursday.
In a separate incident, an unidentified member of the volunteer wing of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard was killed in the town of Harsin during an attack involving a gun and a knife, according to local outlets cited by the Associated Press.
Authorities have made multiple arrests as demonstrations continue. Iran International reported that dozens of protesters were detained on Saturday. Video footage published by the outlet showed plainclothes officers arresting a young protester in the northern city of Sari.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed the unrest in posts on social media, stating that protests are legitimate but distinguishing them from what he described as riots. “Protesting is legitimate, but protesting is different from rioting. We talk with protesters. The officials must talk with the protesters,” Khamenei wrote. “But there’s no point in talking with a rioter.”
Khamenei attributed the unrest to what he called “soft warfare,” saying it creates doubt through “deception, lies, slander, temptation, and fallacious arguments.” In a separate post, he wrote, “We will bring the enemy to its knees.”
The protests turned deadly on Thursday in the southwestern city of Lordegan, where regime forces opened fire on demonstrators, killing two people.
One of those killed was identified as Amirhossein Bayati, also known locally as “Amir Caffeine,” a café owner from Hamedan. Iran International reported that authorities prevented his family from seeing his body and confiscated their cell phones.
The second victim was identified as Sajjad Valamanesh, who was reported to be pro-monarchy and not affiliated with any political party.
