Rights organizations reported that at least four individuals were killed on Saturday during violent confrontations between demonstrators and Iranian security forces in the country’s western region. The clashes mark the seventh consecutive day of nationwide protests initially triggered by widespread economic discontent and soaring living costs within the Islamic Republic.
According to Norway-based Hengaw, which focuses on human rights in Iran, Revolutionary Guards employed live ammunition against protesters in the Malekshahi district of Ilam province. The group confirmed the fatalities involved members of Iran’s Kurdish minority and indicated it was investigating potential additional casualties amid reports of dozens wounded.
Iran Human Rights NGO, similarly headquartered in Norway, corroborated the death toll while reporting approximately 30 injuries following security forces’ intervention against demonstrations in the same region. The organization released graphic footage purportedly showing bloodied victims at the scene, though independent verification remained challenging due to reporting restrictions.
Official Iranian media presented contrasting narratives, with Mehr news agency reporting the death of a Revolutionary Guard during alleged attempts by ‘rioters’ to storm a police station. Official sources acknowledged casualties among security personnel, with at least 12 total deaths recorded since Wednesday according to government statements.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency documented extensive protest activity across 174 locations in 60 cities spanning 25 provinces over the seven-day period. Their assessment indicated at least 582 arrests and 15 protester fatalities, though these figures could not be independently verified.
The current wave of civil unrest originated last week when merchants shut down Tehran’s historic bazaar, a significant economic center, before spreading to multiple regions and academic institutions. United Nations Special Rapporteur for human rights in Iran Mai Sato expressed concern on Friday about escalating tensions between protesters and security forces, explicitly warning against repeating the violent suppression tactics employed during the 2022-2023 protest movement that resulted in hundreds of deaths.