At least 36 people have been killed, and over 2,000 people have been arrested, as protests sparked by the prevailing economic crisis in Iran.
In a report on Tuesday, Human Rights Activists News Agency said 34 protesters and two security agents have been killed during the protests that have lasted for 10 days.
“At least 36 people have lost their lives, including 34 protesters and two members of security and law enforcement forces,” the report said.
It said at least 2,076 citizens have been arrested and that “violence by law enforcement and security forces has extended to medical centers as well, with some facilities subjected to intervention and attack”.
Nationwide protests broke out on December 28 amid Iran’s towering inflation standing at 42 per cent and its currency, the rial, plummeting to an all-time low of 1.4 million rials per dollar.
Since then, the protests have lingered, spreading into at least 285 locations in 92 cities across, while 27 provinces have witnessed protest gatherings.
The protests have seen merchants, traders, and university students hit the streets, disrupting commercial and public activities across the country for 10 days consecutively.
To ease tensions, Fatameh Mohajerani, the Iranian government spokeswoman, on Monday announced on state-owned television a $7 stipend for each Iranian amid protests sweeping the country.
The $7 stipend, Ms Mohajerani said, was aimed at “preserving households’ purchasing power, controlling inflation, and ensuring food security”.
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened military intervention should the Iranian government kill protesters.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International has condemned Iranian security forces for a violent clampdown on protesters, resulting in deaths and injuries.
“Security forces in Ilam Province have launched a deadly crackdown against protests in recent days, resulting in deaths and injuries,” Amnesty International said. “Many of the protesters who were wounded as a result of this deadly suppression in the province have been transferred to Imam Khomeini Hospital for treatment.”
