Sixth Day of Protests; Intensified Security Measures in Tehran, Continued Demonstrations in Other Cities

With intensified security measures in Tehran, state news agencies in Iran have reported a "relative calm" in the capital. However, protests continued in several cities across Iran on Tuesday, January 2. According to ISNA, the political and security deputy of the Tehran governor's office stated that "no gatherings occurred in any part of Tehran that witnessed unrest in previous nights, and the city is in ultimate security." Nevertheless, images and videos from state news agencies indicate a significant presence of security forces and riot police in the streets of Tehran. Social media has shared images of protest demonstrations in Gohardasht, Karaj, in Alborz province. Meanwhile, the state-run news agency IRIB quoted security officials in Karaj stating that the city was calm on Tuesday night. In this context, the head of the judiciary in Alborz announced on Tuesday that all types of gatherings in the province are prohibited until further notice. According to ISNA, Ahmad Fazelian stated, "From today until further notice, to prevent the exploitation of rioters and adversaries, no type of professional or non-professional gathering will be permitted, and any gathering will be considered illegal and against national security, and those responsible will be dealt with." Some reports on social media indicate that a protest was held in Ahvaz on Tuesday. Reuters quoted Ahvazi citizens stating that security forces fired tear gas at the demonstrators. Images of protests in the city of Hamadan have also been published. Reports on social media indicate that protest gatherings took place in Khomeini Shahr, Abadan, Dezful, and Masjed Soleiman. Meanwhile, the state news agency IRIB reported that two motorcyclists targeted a security kiosk, which housed a police officer and two conscript soldiers, with a shotgun while passing by the governor's office in Lenjan County, Isfahan province. The report adds that no one was injured in this incident. Ebrahim Heydari, the director of the Endowments Organization in Mazandaran, also stated that early on Tuesday morning, "three Imams' shrines in the Shirgah area and northern Savadkuh and the military road of Qaemshahr" were attacked, resulting in one of the buildings completely burning down due to its wooden roof. He reported the arrest of three individuals in this regard. Arrests related to the protests in Dorud: The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence also announced on Tuesday that an individual was arrested in connection with the events in Dorud, Lorestan province. According to IRNA, the Ministry of Intelligence stated that this individual, in collaboration with other suspects, engaged in the destruction of public property and caused the death and injury of citizens by stealing a fire truck. The identity of this individual has not been disclosed, but the Ministry of Intelligence stated that he was arrested after fleeing to the outskirts of Tehran. A parliament member previously stated that in the clashes on Saturday in Dorud, two people were killed and six were injured. The protests in Iran, which began last Thursday in Mashhad, Nishapur, and Kashmar, quickly spread to other cities and represent the most extensive unrest in Iran in the past eight years. Official statistics indicate that 21 people have been killed in the cities of Toyserkan, Dorud, Izeh, Shahin Shahr, and Qahderijan. Iranian security officials have also reported the arrest of over a thousand individuals during these protests.