Nationwide protests against authoritarian rule in Iran have spread dramatically. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 34 demonstrators have been killed so far, including four minors. Two members of the Iranian regime’s security forces have also been killed. More than 2,000 people have been arrested, but the human rights organization estimates that the actual number is likely to be significantly higher.
According to HRANA, protests have taken place in at least 92 cities over the past ten days. On Tuesday, demonstrations were held in the cities of Şarîkurd (Shahrekord), Melekşahî (Malekshahi), Esedabad (Asadabad), Awdanan (Abdanan), Îlam, Mashhad, Qazvin, Tehran, Shiraz, Bandar Abbas, Zanjan, Babol, Marvdasht, Borujerd, Yazdanshahr, and Kavar.
According to eyewitnesses, there were massive clashes between demonstrators and security forces at the Grand Bazaar in the Iranian capital. The trigger was another crash of the rial on the free currency market – for the first time, one euro cost more than 1.7 million rials.
Protesters take control in several cities
The situation developed particularly dynamically in the Kurdish province of Îlam. In the city of Abdanan, the protests quickly spread throughout the entire city. Thousands of people marched through the center in protest. According to Aryen TV, the local police station and a nearby military camp were taken over by the people without armed conflict. Several police officers reportedly refused to take action against the demonstrators, and some even showed solidarity.
After taking control of the city, the protests continued in a festive atmosphere. Later in the day, however, units loyal to the regime intervened the demonstrators. Dozens of people were reportedly injured, several of them seriously. Nevertheless, according to the latest information, the city remains under the control of the people and the state forces have withdrawn.
According to consistent reports, all state forces have also been driven out of the town of Malekshahi. The town is now completely in the hands of the civilian population. While widespread power outages have been reported, local media say that Iranian Revolutionary Guard helicopters have been circling over the town, particularly over the center.
Risk of escalation remains high
In both cities, people continue to occupy the streets. Observers expect renewed intervention by regime forces. Protesters remain mobilized and continue their demonstrations despite the tense situation.
The current unrest is the most severe in months and combines social, economic, and political demands. The dramatic decline of the national currency is acting as an accelerant. Human rights organizations are calling for international monitoring of the situation and an end to violence against the population.