UPDATE - 5 killed as protests erupt in Iran

UPDATES DEATH TOLL

By Ahmet Dursun, Ahmet Kartal and Rania Abu Shamala

TEHRAN/ ISTANBUL (AA) – Five people were killed and several others injured in protests in western and southwestern Iran on Thursday, local media reported.

The semi-official Fars News Agency, citing an unnamed local official, said more than 150 people gathered in the Lordegan area of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, chanting anti-government slogans and hurling stones at public buildings.

“After police intervened, some protesters opened fire at security forces, injuring a number of officers, while two people were killed during the clashes,” the official said.

Fars said three more people were killed and 17 others injured when a group of rioters attacked a police headquarters in Lorestan province, taking advantage of a public protest in Azna city.

According to the outlet, the attackers used cold and live weapons as they attempted to disarm officers and storm the armory, which led to clashes.

The violence erupted as local media said that 20 people were arrested during incidents in the city of Kuhdasht in Lorestan province on Wednesday, resulting in the killing of a member of the Basij force affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

On Dec. 28, traders in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar launched protests over the sharp depreciation of the local currency, the Iranian rial, against foreign currencies and mounting economic hardships, which later spread to several other cities nationwide.

“We are watching, listening, and officially acknowledging the protests, crises and challenges,” government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said.

President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged public discontent, saying the government bears responsibility for the current economic problems and urging officials not to blame external parties such as the US.