Iranian security forces have reportedly killed at least four protesters during demonstrations in Malekshahi county, Ilam province, according to Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO). The organization documented 30 additional injuries resulting from clashes between security forces and demonstrators on Saturday.
The protests, initially sparked by economic grievances including soaring inflation and the collapsing rial currency, have rapidly evolved into widespread political dissent across at least 30 Iranian cities. This represents the most significant wave of civil unrest since 2022, though demonstrations have yet to reach the capital, Tehran.
Conflicting casualty figures have emerged from various human rights monitors. Kurdish rights group Hengaw estimates at least 17 fatalities since protests commenced last week, while activist network HRANA reports 16 deaths and 582 arrests nationwide.
The economic foundation of the unrest traces to the Iranian rial’s catastrophic devaluation, with the currency trading at approximately 1.45 million to the US dollar by December’s end—a stark contrast to the 55,000-rial exchange rate in 2018 before the reimposition of US sanctions. Analysts attribute the economic collapse to comprehensive US sanctions on Iran’s energy exports, international banking restrictions, and domestic corruption.
International tensions escalated when US President Donald Trump declared Friday that Washington would “come to the rescue” if Iran continued using lethal force against protesters, stating America was “locked and loaded and ready to go.”
Iranian officials responded aggressively to both domestic unrest and international threats. Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s supreme national security council, accused the US and Israel of instigating protests and warned of regional destabilization should America intervene. Pro-government media have similarly characterized protesters as foreign pawns, raising concerns about potential justification for intensified crackdowns.