Massive protests erupt in Iran over economic crisis: dead and dozens injured
2 January 07:56
At the end of 2025, large-scale anti-government protests erupted in Iran, caused by a sharp deterioration in the economic situation. The actions escalated into violent clashes with security forces. As of January 2, at least seven people were reported dead and dozens injured, according to international media and Iranian human rights activists.
According to Reuters and The Hindu, as well as human rights organizations, the clashes took place in several regions of the country, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
Clashes in the regions: what is known
In the city of Azna (Lorestan Province), a group of protesters stormed a police station. According to Fars news agency, three demonstrators were killed and 17 others were injured in the confrontation.
In the city of Lordegan, according to the human rights group Hengaw, security forces opened fire on the crowd. Two young men aged 21 and 28 were killed.
The authorities also confirmed the death of 21-year-old Amirohossam Khodayari Fard in the city of Kuhdasht. He was a member of the Basij paramilitary group, which is subordinate to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The clashes were accompanied by arson attacks on police cars and Basij offices. In response, the security forces used tear gas and live ammunition, and carried out mass detentions of activists.
The largest unrest in three years
Human rights activists call the current protests the largest in Iran over the past three years. The main reason was the rapid deterioration of the economic situation:
- the Iranian rial exchange rate has fallen to a historic low of more than 1.4 million rials per 1 US dollar;
- the official inflation rate exceeded 42%;
- food prices increased by more than 60%.
The protests began with the closure of retail outlets in the Grand Bazaar in Tehran. Subsequently, students and youth joined the entrepreneurs, and economic demands quickly turned into political slogans against the theocratic regime of the Ayatollahs.
The role of the Basij in suppressing protests
The Basij is an Iranian paramilitary militia created in 1979 by Ayatollah Khomeini. It is a component of the IRGC and is used by the authorities for internal control, supervision of compliance with Islamic norms, and suppression of anti-government protests.
The organization has millions of members, including schoolchildren and students, which allows the regime to quickly mobilize forces in any region of the country.
The reaction of the authorities
Iranian President Massoud Peseshkian said that he had instructed the Ministry of Interior to “listen to the legitimate demands of citizens.” At the same time, human rights activists report that security forces continue to detain protesters, and the situation in some cities remains tense.
Experts note that further developments will depend on whether the government is able to offer real economic steps, not just forceful containment of discontent.
