Protests reported in Tehran, with clashes also occurring in western Iran

Protests in Iran Escalate, with Economic and Political Demands

Demonstrations have broken out in various cities across Iran, including the capital, Tehran, according to local media reports. The protests began on December 28, when shopkeepers staged a strike over economic concerns, but have since spread to include political demands.

According to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the protests have not yet reached a nationwide scale and are not gaining momentum quickly. However, he acknowledged that there may be further escalations if concrete actions are not taken by the government.

On Saturday, protests were reported in several districts of Tehran, including Novobat, Tehran Pars, Ekteban, Sadeghieh, Sattarkhan, Naziabad, and Abdolabad. Demonstrators chanted slogans, including “death to the dictator,” and engaged in limited clashes with security forces.

In other regions, such as Malekshahi in western Iran, a county with a significant Kurdish population, clashes resulted in the deaths of two individuals, including a member of the security forces. Local media reports indicate that rioters attempted to storm a police station.

Supreme Leader Khamenei has urged officials to engage with protesters, stating that “there is no benefit to talking to rioters.” He also warned that the government will not allow protests to turn violent.

The Iranian government has downplayed coverage of the demonstrations in state-run outlets, while social media videos often lack verification. The situation remains fluid, with accounts of the protests varying across different sources.

Source: Al Jazeera