Fresh violence has erupted in Iran amid ongoing public demonstrations over the country's severe economic crisis, resulting in multiple fatalities over the weekend.
Deadly Clashes in Western Iran
According to a report from the semi-official Fars news agency on Saturday, January 3, 2026, three individuals lost their lives during clashes in Iran’s western Ilam province. The agency, citing informed sources, stated that the incident occurred when protesters attempted to storm a law enforcement center in Malekshahi County.
The confrontation with security forces led to the deaths of one member of the security forces and two of the protesters, labeled as "rioters" in the Fars report. Several other people were wounded in the exchange.
Earlier Fatality in Kermanshah
This was not an isolated incident. Earlier on the same Saturday, Fars reported another death linked to the unrest. Ali Azizi, a member of the Basij volunteer force affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, was killed during protests in the western province of Kermanshah.
The agency detailed that Azizi died after being stabbed and shot during a protest in Harsin County on Friday, January 2, 2026.
Root Cause: The Plunging Rial
The wave of protests gripping several Iranian cities began on December 28, 2025, triggered primarily by the sharp and disruptive depreciation of the Iranian rial. The currency's fall has severely impacted the cost of living and business environment, sparking widespread public anger.
While authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and stated a willingness to address economic complaints, they have simultaneously issued strong warnings against any acts of violence, vandalism, or unrest.
Supreme Leader's Statement
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei addressed the situation on Saturday. He asserted that exploiting the legitimate grievances of merchants and citizens to incite wider unrest and threaten national security was "absolutely unacceptable."
Khamenei drew a clear line, stating that officials should engage in dialogue with peaceful protesters but not with those he described as rioters, who must be "put in their place."
He acknowledged the rial's decline had disrupted the business environment but pointed the finger at what he termed "enemy" actions for causing an "unnatural" rise in foreign exchange rates. The Supreme Leader added that senior officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, were actively working to stabilize the situation.
