Anti-government protests in Iran continue to simmer despite stern warnings from authorities. Demonstrations, sparked by deepening economic woes, have entered their tenth day, with reports of clashes and casualties.
Iranian news agency Fars reported the death of a police officer in western Iran on Tuesday. According to the report, Ehsan Aghajani was fatally shot by rioters near Malekshahi and succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. Malekshahi, a city with a significant Kurdish population, has been a focal point of the unrest, witnessing previous confrontations that resulted in the death of a security force member on Saturday.
The protests, initially triggered by economic grievances and the declining value of the Iranian currency, have seen demonstrators taking to the streets across the country. On Monday, authorities issued strong warnings against what they termed “elements of chaos,” vowing zero tolerance for any disruptions.
Judiciary Chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, as quoted by the judiciary-affiliated Mizan news agency, instructed prosecutors nationwide to “act decisively and according to the law against rioters and those providing equipment and facilities to them, showing no leniency or appeasement.”
Reports indicate that hundreds of security personnel have been injured during the protests. According to Tasnim news agency, 568 police officers and 66 members of the Basij, a volunteer force, have sustained injuries. The report detailed that two officers were wounded by live ammunition, 152 by shotgun pellets, and 11 by knife attacks.
On Tuesday, protesters also gathered in the vicinity of Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, a traditional starting point for demonstrations. Security forces reportedly dispersed a group of approximately 150 individuals chanting anti-government slogans.
