HRANA – Protests and strikes by shopkeepers and citizens in various cities across Iran entered their sixth day today. Over the past six days, at least 113 locations across the country, in 46 cities spanning 22 provinces, have witnessed protests. During these protests, dozens of people were arrested and at least eight protesters lost their lives.
The widespread protests that began on Monday, December 29, with gatherings and strikes by bazaar merchants in Tehran continued today, Friday, January 2, for a sixth consecutive day. The protests have been accompanied in some cities by an intensified security presence, violence, and arrests of citizens. Demonstrations persisted in cities including Neyshabur, Sabzevar, Esfarayen, Mashhad, Hamedan, Fardis, Gohardasht, Khorramabad, Qazvin, Tehran, Fuladshahr, Zahedan, Marvdasht, Parand, Hafshejan, Joneqan, Yasuj, and Qom. Reports were also published today indicating the use of violence by security and law enforcement forces. As protests continued, the scope of arrests expanded, with reports collected of dozens of protesting citizens being detained.
Background to the Protests
The new wave of protests has emerged amid unprecedented economic pressure on various segments of society, alongside simultaneous signs of structural erosion in the country’s livelihood system. The rapid rise in foreign currency prices, chronic market instability, and the continued devaluation of the national currency have made the economic outlook extremely uncertain for citizens and trade activists.
In the days leading up to the protests, the exchange rate surpassed 140,000 tomans, while the capital market experienced a significant outflow of capital and declines in indices. According to analysts, these developments reflect a large-scale shift of capital toward lower-risk assets such as foreign currency and gold, and signal declining public confidence in economic policies. The direct consequences have included the closure or partial shutdown of trade units, the inability of small businesses to continue operating, and the expansion of protests and strikes in cities across the country.
Geography of the Protests
Based on collected information, gatherings and protests on the sixth day were reported in 17 cities across 13 provinces. Protests continued in cities including Sabzevar, Esfarayen, Neyshabur, Mashhad, Hafshejan, Joneqan, Hamedan, Fardis, Tehran, Parand, Gohardasht, Zahedan, Marvdasht, Fooladshahr, Yasuj, Qazvin, and Qom.
In Zahedan, protesting citizens took to the streets after Friday prayers and chanted protest slogans. These gatherings mainly took place on University Street and Khayyam Street.
Marvdasht also witnessed protest gatherings today. In the morning, during the burial ceremony of one of those killed in the protests, citizens chanted protest slogans, and several hours later, protest gatherings formed on Enghelab Street in the city.
Meanwhile, a video from the burial ceremony of Dariush Ansari Bakhtiarvand in Fuladshahr has been published, showing a large turnout of citizens. This protesting citizen was shot by law enforcement–security forces on Wednesday evening, December 31, after participating in popular protests, and lost his life.
According to verified reports up to the time of publication, a total of 113 protests have been recorded over the past six days in 46 cities across 22 provinces. Fifteen student gatherings at 13 universities are also included in this figure.
Methods of Protest and Slogans
Based on reviews of videos and verified reports, the slogans chanted were largely centered on livelihood, economic, and political demands rooted in citizens’ fundamental rights. These slogans included criticism of the power structure, objections to restrictions on individual and social freedoms, demands for justice, and opposition to the prevailing economic and living conditions.
At the same time, in some gatherings, slogans with more diverse themes were also heard, reflecting the heterogeneous range of views and tendencies among protesters. Within the framework of its human rights mission, HRANA focuses its reporting on slogans and demands that are directly related to violations of, or demands for, human rights, fundamental freedoms, and civil rights.
On the sixth day of protests, scenes of dissent extended to cemeteries, where citizens chanted protest slogans during the burial ceremonies of two individuals killed in the protests. In the streets as well, protesting citizens held gatherings while chanting slogans.
The persistence and repetition of these slogans across different cities indicate an overlap between labor, livelihood, and political demands within the context of the ongoing protests, and reflect the depth of accumulated grievances in Iranian society.
Conduct of Law Enforcement-Security Forces and Details of Violence
On the sixth day of widespread protests across various Iranian cities, reports and videos indicated the continued securitized atmosphere and the use of repressive measures by law enforcement and security forces to prevent the formation and spread of protest gatherings. In one such case, a video from the city of Qom showed agents using tear gas to disperse citizens. Hours later, another video from the same city was published in which a citizen is seen holding a cartridge casing attributed to a pellet gun used by anti-riot forces, stating that it belonged to pellet “No. 5.”
In Tehran, a video from protests in the Narmak neighborhood shows anti-riot forces using violence in an attempt to arrest a female protester. Field reports also indicate that today, Friday, security forces used violence to arrest a number of protesters during demonstrations in Zahedan.
Continuing acts of violence included the killing of Khodadad Shirvani, a resident of Marvdasht, who was shot by security forces yesterday after participating in popular protests and lost his life. His burial ceremony was held today, Friday, with a large turnout of citizens, during which attendees chanted protest slogans.
At the same time, a protest gathering in Yasuj was also met with suppression by law enforcement and security forces. According to a video published by BBC Persian, agents used tear gas to disperse protesters, and the sound of gunfire can also be heard in the footage. Reports have also emerged of the use of tear gas during nighttime protests in Fardis and Khorramabad.
In the cities of Hafshejan and Joneqan, protest gatherings were likewise accompanied by the presence of law enforcement forces. Mehr News Agency reported that “law enforcement officers, by being present at the scene, took action to manage the gathering.”
Additionally, a video published from protests in Kuhdasht, dating back to Wednesday, December 31, shows a protesting citizen who was seriously injured in the right leg, with those present attempting to stop the bleeding.
It has also been reported that during the nighttime protests on January 1 in Marvdasht, Fars Province, a passing vehicle was targeted by gunfire from security forces. According to the published video, a Pride car entering a main boulevard from a side street, an area filled with anti-riot forces and vehicles, was shot at close range and without prior warning by one of the agents. After the shooting, another agent intervened and instructed the driver to leave the area.
Finally, channels close to security institutions reported today the death of a Basij member during the recent protests in the city of Harsin. The individual was identified as Ali Azizi.
Arrests and Security Pressures
Today, HRANA received reports regarding the transfer of 15 detained women to Evin Prison. These women, who were arrested during the recent protests, are reportedly mostly injured and were therefore transferred to the prison infirmary upon arrival. Their identities are still under investigation.
According to additional information received, Fardin Moslemi and Mahan Khoobani, both 16 years old, were arrested by security forces in the cities of Gachsaran and Yasuj and transferred to an unknown location. Fardin Moslemi was arrested in the early hours of today, Friday, January 2, by IRGC Intelligence forces in Gachsaran, while Mahan Khoobani was arrested yesterday in Yasuj.
HRANA has also learned that Misagh Kooch Peydeh and Amir Nodehi, residents of Tehran, as well as Salman Ghodrati, a resident of Bojnord, have been arrested. According to this report, Messrs. Nodehi and Ghodrati were arrested yesterday, Thursday, by security forces.
Meanwhile, the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Izeh announced the arrest of a number of citizens during last night’s protests in the city. Published reports also indicate that today, Friday, security agents arrested at least five individuals during protests by citizens in Zahedan.
In addition, reports have been received of the arrest of at least 16 citizens in the cities of Tehran, Kermanshah, and Ilam. The identities of these individuals have been reported as: Iman Ali-Moradi, Ali Najafi, Mohammad Hasanvand, Bijan Karimian, Mohammad Javad Zarei, Akbar Darvishi, Aref Darvishi, Mohammad Havasi, Sepehr Salehi, Amir Raoufi, Ehsan Maleki, Milad Kiadi, Farzad Shokri, Abolfazl Shadfar, Moein Maleki, and Yazdan Bakhti. These arrests took place on December 31 and January 1.
The chief justices of Lorestan and Isfahan provinces also announced that a number of protesting citizens were arrested in recent days in the counties of Azna, Delfan, and Isfahan.
In the same context, a channel close to security institutions published two separate videos of forced confessions by a detained citizen in Amol. In these videos, whose recording conditions are unclear, a young man with a fully visible face expresses remorse for publishing calls for protests. The same channel also released a video of the arrest of a citizen on January 2 in Khorramabad, claiming that weapons and ammunition were discovered in his possession. According to the report, this arrest was carried out by agents of the Abolfazl Corps of the IRGC in Lorestan Province.
State broadcaster IRIB also released videos containing forced confessions of several citizens, announcing their arrest during protests in Kermanshah. At least four citizens can be seen in these videos. Mehr News Agency likewise published a video of a forced confession by a citizen arrested yesterday on Motahhari Street in Khorramabad; the circumstances under which these videos were recorded remain unknown.
Subsequently, the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Izeh once again announced the arrest of a number of citizens during last night’s protests in the city.
Meanwhile, Tasnim News Agency reported that several protesters were arrested during demonstrations in Qazvin on charges described as belonging to “saboteur elements.” According to the agency, one individual allegedly involved in publishing protest calls online was also arrested.
HRANA has also learned that on December 31 and January 1, a number of citizens in Gorgan were arrested for publishing calls for protests.
The Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Hamedan also announced today the arrest of several citizens during protests in the city, without providing details regarding their identities or the exact timing of their arrests.
Ashraf Montazeri, daughter of Ayatollah Montazeri, stated that her daughter and grandchild were arrested during street protests and released after one day on bail.
Fars News Agency also reported the arrest of a citizen in Isfahan, claiming that he “intended to join the gathering with a handgun and carry out anti-security and sabotage actions.” According to the outlet, the arrest took place on Thursday, January 1.
Additionally, media outlets close to security institutions, without naming individuals, reported the arrest of three citizens, including a teenager, in the cities of Isfahan, Khorramabad, and Amol during the ongoing protests.
In the final hours of today, the Public Relations Office of the Rouhollah Corps of the IRGC in Markazi Province announced the arrest of the administrators of two Telegram channels in the cities of Saveh and Arak, claiming that these channels played a role in the “management and direction of protesters.”
Meanwhile, Amirkabir Newsletter reported that Amirhossein Keshavarz, a student activist, was arrested by security forces. According to the report, agents went to his residence today, arrested him, and transferred him to an unknown location.
Reactions
As nationwide protests entered their sixth day, officials of the Islamic Republic and media outlets affiliated with official and security institutions, alongside continued on-the-ground repression, have sought to reinforce a dominant narrative centered on “foreign interference” and “national security,” while sidelining protesters’ demands.
At the political level, Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, reacting to support expressed by Donald Trump for protesters, described the stance as “irresponsible and dangerous,” claiming that such statements target Iran’s sovereignty and that the Islamic Republic’s armed forces are “ready to respond.” At the same time, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of Parliament, and Alireza Salimi, a member of the parliamentary presidium, issued threatening warnings that any “foreign interference” would be met with a “regret-inducing” response.
In this context, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council sent a letter to domestic media outlets, urging them to condemn Trump’s support for protesters and, by drawing a “clear line with the enemy,” refrain from what it described as “raw, emotional, or tension-inducing dissemination.” The council also praised media outlets that it said had “contributed to stability,” reflecting intensified control and guidance of the media narrative on the sixth day of protests.
In the judicial and security sphere, officials such as Saeed Shahvarai, Chief Justice of Lorestan Province, announced the arrest of protesters in cities including Azna and Delfan, without providing transparent details regarding charges or judicial procedures. At the same time, some pro-government religious figures, including Hossein Nouri Hamedani, while implicitly acknowledging economic pressures, sought to reduce the roots of the crisis to “mismanagement” and avoided linking the protests to the political structure.
At the international level, Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed concern over developments in Iran, stating that reports of violence against protesters are being followed “closely,” and called on Iranian authorities to respect citizens’ fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. This position was expressed amid numerous reports of shootings, arrests, and an intense security atmosphere across various Iranian cities.
State-affiliated media, in their coverage of the sixth day, focused on emphasizing external threats, warning the United States and Israel, and promoting the narrative that protests are being directed by “hostile groups”—a narrative that does not align with field evidence or the breadth of protesters’ demands.
Conclusion
The ongoing protests, which began in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, entered their sixth day with expanded geographic scope, increased public participation, and an intensified presence of security forces. The combination of livelihood and political demands, the rise in arrests, and officials’ efforts to simultaneously contain the crisis through economic and security measures reflect the authorities’ high sensitivity to the continuation of these protests.
HRANA continues to collect, verify, and complete information related to these protests and will publish supplementary reports should the gatherings persist or expand.
April 28, 2010