The ongoing protests against the deepening economic crisis, inflation and unemployment in Iran have become more violent. Protesters in western Iran’s Lorestan province reportedly tried to enter a government building, after which the situation turned tense. A volunteer member of the ‘Revolutionary Guard’ has died during protests against the poor economy in Iran’s western province. The authorities gave this information on Thursday. This is said to be the first death of the security forces during the protests. The death of a 21-year-old volunteer of the ‘Basis Force’ on Wednesday night is raising suspicions that the government of Iran’s action against the protests may be more severe. Although the demonstrations have slowed down in the capital Tehran, they are spreading to other provinces.
The government news agency ‘IRNA’ confirmed the death of a member of the ‘Revolutionary Guard’, but did not provide detailed information. The ‘Student News Network’, which is considered to be close to Basij, quoted the deputy governor of Lorestan province, Saeed Pourali, as saying that the demonstrators were responsible for the death. According to Pourali, “a member of the guard was martyred while protecting public order in this city.” He said that 13 other members of Basij and police personnel were also injured.
He said that these demonstrations are due to economic crisis, inflation and are an expression of livelihood concerns. He also said that the concerns of the citizens should be resolved sensibly. The demonstration took place in the city of Kouhdasht, located about 400 kilometers south-west of Tehran. The government led by the country’s President Masoud Pezeshkian is trying to communicate with the protesters.