Iran has reported its first officially confirmed fatality among security forces since a new wave of protests, initially driven by economic grievances, began last week. The death marks a significant escalation in the unrest that started with shopkeepers striking in Tehran.
Death and Injuries in Lorestan Province
State television reported on Thursday that a 21-year-old member of the Basij paramilitary force was killed in the city of Kouhdasht. The announcement was made by Said Pourali, the deputy governor of Lorestan Province. According to the report, the volunteer was killed "by rioters while defending public order" on Wednesday night.
This is the first such death acknowledged by authorities since the demonstrations commenced on Sunday. Pourali also stated that 13 police officers and Basij members were injured in Kouhdasht during the protests, which he attributed to stone-throwing by demonstrators.
Protests Spread from Economic Strikes
The unrest originated in the capital, Tehran, where shopkeepers initiated a strike to protest the soaring cost of living and prolonged economic stagnation. The movement gained momentum on Tuesday when students from at least 10 universities across the country joined in, causing the protests to spread to other urban centres.
Iran's economic woes are severe. The national currency, the rial, has lost over a third of its value against the US dollar in the past year. Hyperinflation remains in double digits, severely eroding purchasing power. Official data from the Statistical Centre of Iran placed the year-on-year inflation rate for December at a staggering 52 percent.
Government Response and Warnings
Facing mounting pressure, President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the situation on Thursday. In a stark warning broadcast on state TV, he urged the government to act on the economy. "From an Islamic perspective... if we do not resolve the issue of people's livelihoods, we will end up in hell," Pezeshkian said.
Meanwhile, the judiciary issued a dual-track message. Iran's prosecutor general stated on Wednesday that peaceful economic protests were legitimate. However, he warned that any actions perceived as creating insecurity would be met with a "decisive response." The statement specifically cautioned against turning protests into tools for "destruction of public property" or following externally designed scenarios.
In a related development, the Tasnim news agency reported on Wednesday evening that seven individuals, allegedly affiliated with groups hostile to Iran based in the US and Europe, had been arrested. Tasnim claimed they were "tasked with turning the demonstrations into violence," though no arrest timeline was provided.
The authorities have not officially linked the extended weekend—declared suddenly on Wednesday as a bank holiday for energy savings—to the ongoing protests. The country remains in a holiday period, with the weekend starting on Thursday and Saturday being a national holiday.
