Protests in Iran and Eastern Kurdistan began on December 28, 2025, with actions initiated by merchants in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar against economic problems. The protests, which quickly spread to more than 30 cities, continued on their eighth day.
According to human rights organizations, dozens of people have been killed and hundreds arrested over the past eight days.
It is reported that four Kurdish protesters were killed and 30 others wounded by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards in the city of Melekshah, which is part of Ilam.
The slain citizens were identified as Reza Azimzade, Fariz Aga Muhammedi, Muhammet Bizvene, and Mehdi Imamipur.
The Kurdistan Human Rights Network reported that doctors issued an urgent appeal for blood and specialist doctors after the hospitalization of the wounded citizens in Malekshah and Ilam.
Human rights organizations report that more than 20 people have been killed and around 600 people have been detained in protests in Eastern Kurdistan and Iran so far. It is reported that most of those killed are Lor Kurds. Reports say that dozens of injured people are unable to go to hospitals for fear of arrest.
Due to the regime’s media bans and internet restrictions, it does not appear possible to obtain further detailed information about the true scale of the protests and repression.