Key Points
- 21-year-old Basij member killed in Kouhdasht during protests
• 13 security personnel injured by rioters, according to regional officials
• Authorities arrest individuals linked to ‘hostile groups’ abroad tasked with fomenting violence
• Inflation at 52% YoY, the rial has lost over a third of its value in one year
TEHRAN: A 21-year-old member of Iran’s Basij volunteer paramilitary force was killed in defending public order during protests in the city of Kouhdasht, state television reported on Thursday, citing Said Pourali, deputy governor of Lorestan Province.
According to state media, the incident marks the first officially confirmed death since protests began peacefully in Tehran on Sunday over high living costs and economic stagnation.
Pourali stated that the 13 injured were from the police and Basij by stone-throwing rioters during demonstrations in Kouhdasht. The state has consistently referred to protestors as rioters during previous movements, emphasising the importance of maintaining public order.
Iranian authorities clarified that peaceful economic protests are legitimate, but any attempt to destabilise the country or destroy public property will receive a legal and decisive response.
“Any attempt to turn economic protests into a tool of insecurity or implement externally designed scenarios will inevitably be met with a legal, proportionate and decisive response,” said Iran’s prosecutor general.
On Wednesday evening, the Tasnim news agency reported the arrest of seven individuals linked to groups based in the United States and Europe, allegedly tasked with inciting violence during the demonstrations.
The economic context fueling the protests is challenging, with the rial losing over a third of its value against the US dollar in the past year and inflation standing at 52% year-on-year, according to the Statistical Centre of Iran. Authorities emphasise that the government remains committed to addressing legitimate economic grievances while safeguarding national security.
