The largest protests in Iran for three years entered a fifth day on Thursday amid reports of deadly clashes between protesters and security forces, with state-affiliated media confirming at least two people had been killed. The Oslo-based Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights said one of those killed had been struck by live ammunition and died before being taken to a medical facility. Activists and human rights groups have warned of an escalation in the response to the protests and say a brutal crackdown is under way as security forces continue to fire directly at protesters. Roya Boroumand, managing director of the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran, said the protests were being driven by the drop in the value of currency and its impact on the cost of living. Human rights groups say the Iranian authorities have used the death penalty to instil fear among the population and crush dissent.

Source: The Guardian January 01, 2026 17:52 UTC