Bloodied Streets as Iran Protests Turn Deadly

The ongoing protests in Iran have taken an even more violent turn. In the southeastern city of Zahedan, security forces opened fire directly on protesters on Friday following the Friday prayers, leaving several people injured, according to the Baluch human rights website Halvash.

Witnesses said the shooting took place around the Makki Mosque as security forces attempted to disperse a peaceful demonstration.

Reports of protests have also emerged from the northeastern city of Mashhad. Speaking to Iran International via a Starlink call, one individual said large crowds gathered on Vakilabad Boulevard. He claimed that surveillance cameras in the area had been disabled overnight before the protest, though this information could not be independently verified.

Meanwhile, violence was reported in Esfarayen city of North Khorasan province, where an Iranian prosecutor and several members of the security forces were killed. The head of the provincial judiciary confirmed the incident, saying the prosecutor, Ali Akbar Hosseinzadeh, was on field duty with police and security forces during unrest on Thursday night when protesters set fire to a trailer and blocked emergency responders from reaching the scene.

Authorities said instructions have already been issued to identify and arrest those involved.

Human rights group HRANA reported that at least 42 people have been killed since the protests began, including 34 protesters and two members of the security forces. More than 2,000 people have been arrested nationwide.

The protests, sparked by economic crisis, rising prices, and opposition to government policies, have prompted authorities to tighten security measures across various cities. Despite growing violence and casualties, many protesters remain determined to stay on the streets, making the situation increasingly uncertain.