Expansion of Protest Gatherings; 'Violence of Security Forces Against Demonstrators'

Protests against the government and economic conditions were held on Saturday evening, January 9, in several cities across Iran. Reports indicate that protests are currently taking place in various parts of Tehran. Meanwhile, unverified images circulated on social media show security forces firing at demonstrators in the city of Dorud in Lorestan province, resulting in two injuries. Unconfirmed reports of some protesters being killed have also emerged. The 'No to Price Hikes' protests began on Thursday, January 7, in Mashhad and several other cities, but as the gatherings continued, protesters began chanting political slogans against the Supreme Leader and officials of the Islamic Republic in addition to economic slogans. Reports and images shared on social media indicate that a protest took place on Saturday evening in Towhid Square in Tehran, where demonstrators chanted slogans such as 'Death to Khamenei' and 'Referendum, referendum, this is the people's slogan.' In this context, the Fars news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, published images of a group gathering in Ferdowsi Square in Tehran, where they were seen tearing down bus line poles and throwing them into the street. The news agency also released images of objects being set on fire in the streets leading to Ferdowsi Square in Tehran. Nonetheless, reports indicate that protests also occurred on Saturday evening in Khorramabad, Arak, Bandar Abbas, Dezful, and Kermanshah. These protests continue as the Minister of Interior urged people not to participate in 'illegal gatherings' and to request permission if they intend to gather for review. Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, the Minister of Interior, stated on Saturday, January 9, that these gatherings are 'definitely illegal' in reference to calls on social media inviting people to protests.