Anti-government protests spread across Iran with escalating security force response

BBC
BBC
2h ago
Anti-government protests have spread across Iran since 28 December, with verified footage showing demonstrations in at least 17 provinces and security forces increasingly using force as deaths are reported.
Anti-government protests spread across Iran with escalating security force response
A What happened
Protests have broken out in at least 17 of Iran’s 31 provinces, with verified footage showing demonstrations and gatherings in more than 50 towns and cities since 28 December. Verified footage shows police and security forces ramping up the use of force since Saturday, and Iran’s president has ordered an investigation into a deadly incident in Malekshahi in Ilam province. BBC Persian confirmed the identities of at least 11 people reported dead since 28 December, while HRANA said at least 35 people had been killed, including two affiliated with security forces. Demonstrations began over anger at economic conditions and accusations of mismanagement and corruption, and in recent days included anti-state chants against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and support for Reza Pahlavi.

Key insights

  • 1

    Experts warned repression could worsen the situation: Peyman Jafari said escalating repression was likely to deepen popular resentment toward the political system while risking fatigue and demoralisation within police and security forces, and said they may cease to comply with orders at some point.

  • 2

    Experts said protests were not yet an existential threat to the state: Azodi said security forces were loyal with no defections and were carrying out orders, and said protests were widespread but lacked a clear strategy or attempt to bring down the Islamic Republic.

Takeaways

Protests have spread widely across Iran with reported deaths and an escalating security response, while experts cited said the unrest has not yet become an existential threat to the state.

Topics

Business & Markets Economy World & Politics Conflicts Governance Human Rights Law & Public Safety Public Safety

Read the full article on BBC

Stay ahead with OwlBrief

Daily briefs that distill the world’s important events — clear, verified, and designed for understanding.

Newsletter

Get OwlBrief in your inbox

A fast, high-signal digest of the day’s most important events — plus the context that makes them make sense.

Quick to read. Useful all day.