Iran protests erupt over currency crash
At least 27 killed as unrest spreads nationwide
Demonstrations in Tehran and other cities sparked over a plunge in the Iranian currency's value that has accelerated inflation.
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to come to the aid of protesters in Iran if security forces fired on them, days into an unrest that has left several dead and has posed the biggest internal threat to Iranian authorities in years.
At least 27 people have been killed during the unrest in Iran, rights groups said, as protests over soaring inflation spread across the country, sparking violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
Protests erupted in several Iranian cities as demonstrators voiced anger over economic hardship, political restrictions and government policies, according to witnesses and rights groups. Crowds gathered in urban centers and provincial towns, chanting slogans critical of the authorities and calling for change, while security forces were deployed to disperse gatherings and restore order.
Videos shared on social media showed clashes between protesters and security forces, though independent verification was difficult due to restrictions on reporting.
Iranian authorities said the demonstrations were illegal and accused foreign actors of inciting unrest. State media reported that calm had been restored in affected areas and said several people were arrested for what officials described as vandalism and disorder.
Iran's top judge, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, said , there is no excuse for those who "come into the streets to take part in riots, or lead them, or support them, or assist them."
Human rights organizations said security forces used force to disperse crowds, raising concerns about arrests and possible injuries. They called on Iranian authorities to respect the right to peaceful assembly and to address underlying economic and social grievances driving the protests.
The unrest comes amid continued pressure on Iran’s economy from sanctions, inflation and currency weakness, factors that have repeatedly triggered protests in recent years. Analysts said while demonstrations have so far been localized, they reflect persistent public frustration that could resurface unless economic conditions improve.
