Seventeen people have been killed and hundreds injured in the week-long unrest in Iran following widespread protests over soaring inflation. Hundreds of people have suffered injuries in clashes between protesters and security forces.
These protests are the largest in the country since the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, which triggered widespread demonstrations across the country.
Iran’s reformist president Masoud Pezeshkian ordered the interior ministry to take a “kind and responsible” approach towards protesters. He was quoted as saying, "Society cannot be convinced or calmed by forceful approaches.”
Reacting to the protests, United States President Donald Trump has threatened to intervene if the Iranian authorities resort to violent means. On Friday, Trump said, "We are locked and loaded and ready to go," without specifying what actions he was considering. The warning drew sharp criticism from Iran with the Supreme Leader threatening to launch missile strikes against US forces in the region, adding that Iran will not yield to enemy threats.
Independent observers have confirmed the death of 17 people and the arrest of more than 582, though official figures vary in international media reports. Iran’s police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said they have arrested several “sponsored orchestrators in virtual space". He confirmed the arrest of 40 prominent leaders in the capital, Tehran, over their "fake posts" about protests aimed at disturbing public opinion.
The protests stemmed from spiralling inflation after the Iranian rial lost much of its value against the dollar, causing hardship to businesses and common people. International sanctions on Iran were re-imposed after a 12-day war with Israel and Iran’s continued enrichment of uranium.
Khamenei said on Saturday that although the authorities would talk to protesters, "rioters should be put in their place. On Sunday, Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref said the government acknowledged that the country faced shortcomings, but he warned some people against exploiting the situation.
Also read: At least 10 dead as unrest spreads across Iran
Follow us
