Thousands of Iranians have come out into the streets for counterprotests rejecting foreign interference, violence against security forces, and vandalism of public property.
Footage on social media showed scores of citizens carrying Iranian flags and chanting “Death to America” in Hamedan province, where a police officer was assaulted by rioters the night before.
Counter-protesters also took to the streets of Iran’s Fars province.
Citizens chanted slogans condemning “the acts of sabotage carried out by some elements in the country, taking advantage of the peaceful protests,” while rejecting “any form of violence or sabotage, and their commitment to legal and peaceful channels of expression for legitimate demands,” according to Al Mayadeen.
They also denounced Israeli and US “interference” in internal Iranian affairs.
So far, at least seven people have been killed during the anti-government protests and riots, including at least two members of the security forces. Over a dozen have been injured.
The protests began peacefully on Sunday after Iran’s currency collapse, when shopkeepers in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar went on strike as the rial hit a record low against the dollar. The demonstration then began spreading to other cities.
Some of the protests have since turned violent, with rioters setting fires, carrying weapons, and attacking security forces.
The unrest is currently ongoing in several provinces, including Tehran, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Isfahan, and Lorestan.
These are the largest riots and protests since the unrest that was sparked after the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. At the time, foreign-backed armed elements carried out violent and deadly attacks against security forces.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has announced plans to reform Iran’s subsidy system by redirecting state support from producers and importers to regular citizens.
He also vowed to crack down on bribery and rent-seeking.
Hellbound and Down 