Tehran: Protests against rising inflation and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have continued for the seventh consecutive day, spreading to at least 25 of Iran’s 31 provinces and more than 60 cities. The situation is reported to be extremely tense at 174 locations across these cities. At least 16 people have been killed in violent clashes between protesters and security forces, including 15 protesters and one security personnel.
According to a report by Iran International, citing the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), nationwide protests over the past week have led to demonstrations, strikes, and gatherings at 174 locations in 60 cities across 25 provinces. The report stated that at least 582 protesters have been detained so far, including a large number of minors. Iran International also confirmed that at least 44 people were injured due to gunfire by Iranian forces during the protests.
In his first public address since the unrest began, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday referred to the protesters as “rioters” and called for a forceful crackdown on the movement. Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said that the United States and President Donald Trump stand firmly with freedom-loving Iranians.
UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, Mai Sato, urged Iranian authorities to respect freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly, and to refrain from using excessive force against demonstrators.
After two days of relative calm in the capital, fresh protests erupted on Friday night in eastern and western districts of Tehran. Similar demonstrations were also reported in the holy cities of Mashhad and Qom.
