Iran Protests Escalate: At Least Two Killed in Fifth Day of Unrest
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Amid a deepening economic crisis and escalating political tensions, protests are sweeping across Iran, entering a fifth day on Thursday with reports of deadly clashes between demonstrators and security forces. State-affiliated media has confirmed at least two deaths, signaling a potential escalation in the government’s response.
Protest Origins and Demands
The demonstrations initially erupted on Sunday in Tehran and have rapidly spread to cities nationwide. protesters are now voicing demands for economic justice and calling for an end to the current regime,reflecting a broader frustration with the country’s leadership and economic policies.
Deadly clashes and Reports of Brutality
Witnesses and videos circulating on social media depict a grim scene,with reports of security forces opening fire on protesters. While state media has not released the identities of those killed, circulating footage appears to show individuals lying motionless on the ground. The Guardian has received images showing bodies bearing what appear to be pellet and bullet wounds, though autonomous verification of the circumstances remains challenging.
The Oslo-based Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights reported that one of the deceased was struck by live ammunition before reaching a medical facility. Both deaths reportedly occurred in the southwestern city of Lordegan.
Activists and human rights groups are warning of a severe crackdown, with reports indicating security forces are firing directly at protesters. “It’s a battlefield here and they [security forces] are firing mercilessly,” relayed one eyewitness in a message to The Guardian.
Voices From the Ground
Ebrahim eshaghi, an Iranian wrestler residing in Germany but originally from Lordegan, has been in contact with protesters on the ground. “Today, the people of my city came out into the streets to demand their rights,” Eshaghi stated. “So far, two young people have been killed and many more have been injured. We ask all the people of the world to be our voice. The Islamic Republic is the enemy of us all.”
Video footage shared on social media appears to corroborate claims of gunfire being used against protesters, showing crowds fleeing through smoke-filled streets and injured individuals being carried away.
Arrests and Government response
On Thursday evening, the Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian authorities in Tehran had arrested 30 individuals suspected of disturbing public order. The arrests,described as a “coordinated operation” by security and intelligence services,took place in the Malard district of western Tehran.
Root Causes: Economic Desperation and Political Repression
According to Roya Boroumand,managing director of the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran,the protests are fueled by the dramatic decline in the value of the currency and its devastating impact on the cost of living. “Iranians are living below poverty lines in increasing numbers and have no hope [of] any notable betterment of their living conditions,” boroumand explained. “They are angry at the state’s mismanagement and corruption, and policies that are causing misery inside the country.”
Boroumand further emphasized that the Iranian state views any anti-government protest as illegal, leaving citizens with limited avenues for peaceful dissent. This lack of legal channels contributes to a recurring pattern of popular unrest followed by harsh crackdowns.
A History of Repression
These protests unfold against a backdrop of increasing state repression, including a record number of executions in Iran.More than 1,500 people where put to death in 2025 – the highest number since 1989 – a figure that human rights groups attribute to a deliberate strategy of instilling fear and suppressing dissent. Amnesty International director Hussein Baoumi stated that “Executions are being carried out following grossly unfair trials held behind closed doors, amid widespread patterns of torture and forced confessions.”
The escalating unrest underscores the deep-seated grievances within Iranian society and raises concerns about the potential for further violence and political instability. The international community is watching closely as the situation unfolds, with growing calls for accountability and respect for human rights.
