Protests in Iran against soaring inflation and a deepening currency crisis have turned violent, leaving at least 62 people dead and more than 2,300 arrested, according to official and human rights sources. The unrest, triggered by record price rises and a sharp fall in the value of the national currency, began in the capital Tehran and has since spread to several regions across the country. Among those killed is at least one member of the security forces, officials said.
Tensions have escalated sharply in cities such as Azna, Lordegan, and Kuhdasht, which have significant populations from the Lur tribe. In several locations, clashes between protesters and security personnel intensified, prompting police to open fire to control crowds. The situation has remained volatile, with reports of sporadic violence and widespread public anger over economic collapse.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described the protesters as “terrorists” and warned of strict action against those involved in the unrest. At the same time, President Masoud Pezeshkian sought to strike a conciliatory note, directing the Interior Minister to engage with protesters and address their grievances. Despite this, demonstrations have continued, with crowds chanting slogans against the Supreme Leader in multiple cities.
The protests have also drawn sharp international reactions, particularly from the United States. US President Donald Trump warned of serious consequences if Iranian security forces continued to open fire on civilians, stating that the US would retaliate if protesters were killed. His remarks have further heightened diplomatic tensions amid an already volatile regional situation.
Iranian state media has labelled the demonstrators as “terrorists” and “saboteurs,” alleging that Israel and the United States are behind the unrest. Meanwhile, rights groups have presented sharply higher casualty figures. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency confirmed at least 62 deaths, while *Time* magazine, citing medical sources, reported that as many as 217 protesters may have died across six hospitals. Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based NGO, said at least nine children were among those killed.
In an effort to suppress the protests, Iran imposed a nationwide internet shutdown, drawing criticism from NetBlocks and Amnesty International, which termed the move a violation of human rights aimed at concealing information about violence and fatalities. India, meanwhile, said it is closely monitoring the situation, noting that around 10,000 Indian citizens and persons of Indian origin reside in Iran, and has issued advisories regarding their safety. The ongoing unrest is being described as the largest wave of protests since the Mahsa Amini movement of 2022–23 and the most serious challenge to Iran’s leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.