Iran Protests Continue with Multiple Fatalities Reported

Protests in Iran have entered their fifth day, with six people killed in clashes between protesters and security forces. The unrest began in Tehran among shopkeepers angered by the sharp fall in the value of the Iranian currency. The protests have spread to several cities, with people chanting against the country's clerical rulers and some calling for an end to the rule of the supreme leader. The government has responded with tight security, and authorities have closed schools, universities, and public institutions in an attempt to quell the unrest. President Masoud Pezeshkian has said his government will listen to the protesters' 'legitimate demands', while the prosecutor general has warned of a 'decisive response' to any attempt to create instability.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in his New Year address that a peace agreement to end the war with Russia is '90% ready'. Zelensky emphasized that the remaining 10% will determine the fate of peace for Ukraine and Europe. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his own New Year speech, expressed his belief in the victory of Russian troops. The Kremlin claimed that Ukraine used drones to target Putin's private home, allegations that Ukraine denied. The EU's top diplomat described the Russian claims as a 'deliberate distraction' to derail the peace process. Zelensky expressed a desire for peace negotiations to resume and accelerate with the involvement of US and European officials. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that European states will make concrete commitments to protect Ukraine and ensure a just and lasting peace.

Protests have erupted across Iran due to the country's struggling economy, resulting in at least six deaths among protesters and security forces. The demonstrations, which began in the capital Tehran, have spread to rural provinces, particularly among the Lur ethnic group. The protests have been marked by violence, with reports of gunfire and objects ablaze in the streets. The Iranian government has responded with arrests, with at least 20 people detained in one city. The protests have also drawn international attention, with the US Ambassador to the United Nations expressing support for the Iranian people.

Protests have erupted across Iran, driven by economic stagnation and hyperinflation, with demonstrators calling for respect for their voices and rights. The Iranian government has responded with a heavy security presence and crackdown on the unrest, while the US has expressed concern over the treatment of peaceful protesters. The protests come amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program.

Protests in Iran have entered their fifth day, with multiple deaths reported across various cities. The demonstrations began on Sunday in response to economic grievances, including soaring inflation, unemployment, and currency depreciation. The unrest has spread beyond initial merchant-led protests to include students and wider public demonstrations. Iranian authorities have confirmed at least one death, while rights groups and opposition organizations report multiple fatalities. The protests have seen clashes between security forces and protesters, with reports of tear gas usage and property damage. International figures, including former US President Donald Trump and Iranian dissident leaders, have voiced support for the demonstrators. The Iranian government has declared a nationwide shutdown, citing extreme cold weather, and has offered talks with merchant and trade union representatives.

Protests in Iran have entered their fourth day, with widespread demonstrations, strikes, and clashes between protesters and security forces across 21 provinces. The unrest is driven by economic crisis, inflation, and declining living standards. A 21-year-old volunteer member of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard was killed in a western province. President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered a one-day shutdown and appointed a new head of Iran's central bank. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has appointed IRGC Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi as deputy commander in chief of the Revolutionary Guards. The protests have seen intense clashes, with protesters chanting anti-regime slogans and confronting security forces. The situation remains volatile, with military helicopters seen flying over cities to intimidate residents.

Protests in Iran have entered their fourth day, with demonstrators clashing with security forces as they demand action on the country's economic crisis. The unrest began on Sunday, sparked by spiralling inflation and a plummeting currency, with shopkeepers, traders, and students taking to the streets. On Wednesday, protesters attempted to break into a local government building in the southern Fars province, but were thwarted by security forces. The Iranian government has offered to set up a dialogue with protest leaders, a departure from its usual response of fierce security measures and arrests. The protests come as Iran's economy struggles under the weight of US sanctions, with inflation reaching 42.5% in December and the rial losing nearly half its value against the dollar in 2025.

Protests in Iran over the cost of living have turned deadly, with multiple people killed in clashes between security forces and protesters. The unrest began on Sunday among shopkeepers and traders in Tehran and has since spread to other parts of the country, with university students joining in. The protests are driven by Iran's ailing economy, 40% inflation, and the fallout from Western sanctions and Israeli and US attacks on the country's nuclear infrastructure and military leadership. The authorities have responded with a mix of security measures and conciliatory gestures, including offering to set up a 'dialogue mechanism' with protesters.