Key Points:
- Protests have expanded from Tehran to rural and tribal areas, particularly Lur ethnic regions
- At least three confirmed deaths, including one Basij paramilitary member and two protesters
- Demonstrations are the largest since the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests
- Economic grievances stem from inflation, unemployment, and sanctions worsened by the June Israel-Iran war
- Security forces have deployed riot gear and used gunfire to disperse crowds
Widespread protests against Iran’s deteriorating economy have expanded beyond the capital Tehran to the country’s rural provinces, marking a significant escalation in anti-government demonstrations. At least three people have been confirmed dead in clashes between security forces and protesters on Thursday, prompting fears that Iran’s religious government may implement even harsher measures to suppress the growing unrest.
While demonstrations in Tehran appear to have subsided somewhat, the situation has become increasingly tense in other parts of the country, particularly in rural and tribal areas. According to reports, one person died on Wednesday and two more on Thursday in cities with large populations of Iran’s Lur ethnic group, signaling the spread of dissent to historically marginalized communities.
Largest Protests Since 2022
These protests represent the largest wave of demonstrations in Iran since 2022, when nationwide protests erupted following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody after she was detained for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly. Although the current protests have not yet reached the scale of the 2022 uprising, they clearly reflect mounting anti-government sentiment and public discontent with the ruling establishment.
Multiple Deaths During Demonstrations
Videos from Lordegan city in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province are circulating on social media, showing protesters gathered in the streets while the sound of gunfire echoes in the background. This area is located approximately 470 kilometers south of Tehran in a region predominantly inhabited by the Lur ethnic minority. The semi-official Fars news agency, citing an unnamed official, reported that two people died during Thursday’s protests in the region.
The Washington-based Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran has also confirmed the deaths of two protesters and shared images showing Iranian police officers in riot gear carrying weapons. Additionally, news emerged Wednesday night of the death of a 21-year-old man affiliated with the Basij force of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard during the protests. The state news agency IRNA confirmed the Guard member’s death, while the Student News Network blamed protesters for the fatality. According to Saeed Pourali, deputy governor of Lorestan province, 13 other Basij members and several police officers were injured in the confrontations.
Economic Grievances and Government Response
Experts believe that public anger, fueled by rising inflation, unemployment, and economic sanctions, is now openly manifesting after months of simmering discontent. The country’s economic and political situation has faced even greater pressure since the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June, which strained resources and further isolated Tehran internationally. These protests have emerged as a new and formidable challenge for Iran’s government, which now faces dissent from both urban centers and rural heartlands simultaneously.
The spread of protests to ethnic minority regions like Lur-populated areas is particularly concerning for Iranian authorities, as it represents a broadening of the movement beyond traditional opposition strongholds. The use of lethal force against demonstrators suggests the government is increasingly willing to employ violent suppression tactics, raising the risk of further escalation and potential human rights violations as the crisis continues to unfold.
