Reported from the source

Quick summary: Two people have reportedly been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces in Lordegan, south-western Iran, amid five days of widespread protests over the soaring cost of living and currency collapse. The deaths were reported by both the semi-official Fars news agency and human rights group Hengaw, though the BBC has not independently verified them. Protests, which began in Tehran among shopkeepers, have spread across several cities, with some demonstrators calling for an end to the supreme leader’s rule or a return to monarchy.

The deaths in Lordegan occurred during growing unrest, marking the fifth day of protests across Iran. The semi-official Fars news agency, citing an informed official, reported two fatalities in Lordegan but did not specify if they were protesters or security forces. Human rights group Hengaw, however, identified the deceased as protesters Ahmad Jalil and Sajjad Valamanesh. The BBC Persian has not been able to independently verify these deaths. Separately, state media reported that a member of the security forces linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) was killed in clashes with protesters on Wednesday night in Kudasht, western Lorestan province. Protesters dispute this, claiming the individual was one of their own, shot dead by security forces; this report also remains unverified by the BBC. State media also noted that 13 police officers and Basij members were injured by stone throwing in the area. The protests were sparked by a sharp fall in the value of the Iranian currency against the US dollar and the soaring cost of living. They began in Tehran with shopkeepers and quickly spread to university students and multiple cities, including Lordegan, Tehran, and Marvdasht. Videos posted on social media on Thursday showed cars set on fire during confrontations. Protesters have voiced demands ranging from ending the rule of the country’s supreme leader to a return to the monarchy. Authorities declared a bank holiday on Wednesday, closing schools, universities, and public institutions, ostensibly to save energy due to cold weather, but widely perceived as an attempt to contain the unrest. Tight security measures are now in place in areas of Tehran where demonstrations originated. President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated his government will address the “legitimate demands” of protesters, while Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad has warned of a “decisive response” to any attempts to create instability. These protests are the most widespread since the 2022 uprising following Mahsa Amini’s death, though not on the same scale.

Source: www.bbc.com