New clashes in Iran as protests enter second week: rights groupsProtests have affected at least 40 different cities in Iran to varying degrees over the last weekPARIS (FRANCE) - New deadly clashes between protesters and security forces erupted in Iran over the weekend, rights groups and local media said Sunday, as demonstrations first sparked by anger over the rising cost of living entered a second week. The Iran Human Rights NGO, also based in Norway, gave an identical toll of four dead, as well as 30 wounded, after "security forces attacked the protests" in Malekshahi. Videos verified by AFP showed security forces dispersing protesters who had gathered overnight and blocked a road by overturning garbage cans. On Sunday, the vast majority of shops were open in the capital, although the streets appeared less crowded than usual, with riot police and security forces deployed at major intersections, AFP observed. President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States was "locked and loaded" to respond if Iran killed protesters -- a day before the American operation to capture Iran's ally Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Source: Bangkok Post January 04, 2026 22:02 UTC