A volunteer in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard was killed during protests over the country’s worsening economy, authorities said Thursday. The 21-year-old Basij member died Wednesday night in Kouhdasht, marking the first reported security force fatality in the demonstrations. Another 13 Basij members and police officers were injured.
The protests, fueled by inflation, currency depreciation, and unemployment, have expanded beyond Tehran to several provinces. Officials said the Guard member “was martyred at the hands of rioters,” while state media reported seven arrests, including alleged monarchists and Europe-linked individuals.
Read more: Iran government building attacked amid rising economic protests
President Masoud Pezeshkian’s government signaled willingness to negotiate with demonstrators, but economic pressures remain severe, with the rial rapidly losing value against the U.S. dollar. Citizens have voiced anger over daily hardships and government mismanagement.
The unrest is the largest in Iran since 2022, when Mahsa Amini’s death in custody sparked nationwide protests. While not as intense as those demonstrations, anti-government chants have grown alongside calls addressing economic grievances.
Read more: Trump warns Iran of new US strike after Netanyahu talks
Amid the turmoil, Iran’s leadership faces regional pressures following Israel’s 12-day war in June and U.S. attacks on nuclear sites. The government declared a public holiday Wednesday, likely to disperse crowds in Tehran, while signaling openness to future atomic negotiations with the West.