At least 6 reported killed during Iran protests over struggling economy
CBS News••world
Key Points:
- Demonstrations driven by Iran's worsening economy have spread to rural provinces, resulting in at least six deaths among security forces and protesters, marking the first fatalities in the current unrest.
- The most intense violence occurred in cities with significant Lur ethnic populations, including Azna and Lordegan, where gunfire and clashes were reported, and several protesters and a paramilitary Basij volunteer were killed.
- The protests, the largest since 2022's Mahsa Amini demonstrations, focus on economic grievances but also include anti-theocracy chants, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with Iran's leadership amid ongoing regional conflicts.
- Iranian authorities have responded with arrests and security operations, including detaining alleged monarchists and confiscating smuggled weapons, while the
