Fasa, Iran — Authorities in southern Iran reported an attack on a government building as widespread protests erupted across the country amid escalating economic hardship. The unrest, which officials claim remains manageable, has been fueled by skyrocketing prices and a depreciating currency.
On Wednesday, participants vandalized portions of the provincial governor’s office in Fasa, according to the judiciary’s Mizan news agency. Hamed Ostovar, the head of Fasa’s judiciary, confirmed that some individuals broke down a door and shattered glass before law enforcement intervened. Four people were apprehended during the incident, and at least three police officers sustained injuries. Ostovar dismissed online claims of a protester being killed as unfounded rumors.
The recent turmoil follows a series of spontaneous demonstrations that began over the weekend in Tehran, sparked by anger over economic conditions. Shopkeepers in the capital’s largest mobile phone market initiated the protests by closing their businesses, which then expanded to include university students in Tehran and other cities such as Isfahan, Yazd, and Zanjan. Although protests have continued, they have largely been small in scale and concentrated in central Tehran.
Iran’s Prosecutor General, Mohammad Movahedi-Azad, acknowledged the legitimacy of economic grievances but cautioned that any actions leading to public disorder or damage to property would prompt a firm legal response. His statement came in the wake of online encouragement from Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, which Iranian officials cited as evidence of foreign interference designed to exacerbate the unrest.
The Iranian economy has been grappling with intense pressure for several years due to sanctions imposed by the United States and the international community tied to the country’s nuclear ambitions. The Iranian rial has depreciated significantly, losing more than a third of its value over the past year, consequently driving up the cost of imports and straining retailers. Inflation figures have skyrocketed, officially surpassing 50 percent as of December.
In Tehran, security measures have been tightened around critical intersections and educational institutions. Water cannons were spotted deployed on major thoroughfares, and authorities declared sudden closures for banks and schools, citing cold weather and the need for energy conservation.
President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for officials to connect with protesters to address their genuine concerns while warning against efforts to exploit the current climate of dissatisfaction. As demonstrations persist, the government faces increasing pressure to respond effectively to the economic challenges plaguing the nation while maintaining public order.