Protests continued across several Iranian cities for a fourth consecutive day on Wednesday, driven by surging currency prices and a deepening economic crisis. United States urged authorities to halt their crackdown on demonstrators.
Protesters gathered in the cities of Isfahan, Kermanshah and Fasa, with reports of fires being set in streets in some areas. In Fasa, located in Fars province, demonstrators assembled outside the governor’s office, and videos circulating on social media appeared to show protesters storming the building.
Footage from the city showed crowds chanting slogans including “Death to the dictator”, a chant also reported during demonstrations in Kermanshah. Protesters have blamed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for the country’s worsening economic conditions.
Earlier reports indicated that several protesters had been arrested. The University of Tehran’s student union council said six students detained during demonstrations had since been released.
The unrest has drawn international reaction. The Persian-language account of the US State Department on X said it was concerned by reports of intimidation, violence and arrests, calling on Iranian authorities to end the repression of protesters.
Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also commented on X, saying it was “no surprise” that Iranians were taking to the streets to protest a collapsing economy. He accused the Iranian leadership of undermining the country through “extremism and corruption”.
The protests follow strikes by Iranian merchants that began on Sunday, December 28, in response to the sharp fall in the national currency and deteriorating economic conditions.
