Iran Demonstrations Enter Eight Straight Day

(MENAFN) Nationwide demonstrations across Iran have surged into their eighth day, engulfing at least 222 locations spanning 78 cities as economic desperation fuels mass unrest, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported Sunday.

The protest wave has swept through 26 provinces, manifesting as street rallies, labor walkouts and campus mobilizations, according to the detailed assessment from the press association founded by Iranian human rights advocates in 2009.

Seventeen universities have joined the uprising, which continues despite intensified security crackdowns and efforts to disperse crowds.

The death toll has climbed to at least 20, including one law enforcement-security member, the report confirmed.

An additional 51 individuals sustained injuries, predominantly from pellet rounds and plastic bullets discharged by security personnel.

Casualties span students, workers and civilians between ages 16 and 45.

HRANA also documented the assault of attorney Nasser Rezaei Ahangarany by security forces during demonstrations in Khorramabad on Jan. 3.

Meanwhile, a news agency documented at least 30 injuries during clashes in Malekshahi.

Mass Arrests Include Minors as Young as 15
Authorities have detained at least 990 individuals since protests erupted, though HRANA indicates actual figures likely exceed this count.

Arrestees include students, civil society activists and over a dozen juveniles aged between 15 and 17.

Verified detentions stretch across numerous municipalities, encompassing both isolated arrests and group seizures.

Large-scale roundups occurred in Yazd, Isfahan, Kermanshah, Shiraz and Behbahan, with numerous detainees allegedly relocated to local detention facilities.

Certain arrests stemmed from social media posts, while others resulted from street confrontations.

The unrest ignited amid soaring inflation, eroding wages, market instability and pervasive employment insecurity.

HRANA observed that demonstrators' chants predominantly addressed economic suffering, governance failures and civil liberties rather than any unified demand.

"Protests have not been limited to major urban centers," the report noted, emphasizing involvement from smaller municipalities and varied demographic groups.

Global Outcry Mounts as Violence Escalates
International condemnation intensified as violence spread.

The European Union's External Action Service voiced alarm over "reports of deaths and injuries," pressing Iranian authorities to "exercise maximum restraint" and resolve public concerns through dialogue.

Amnesty International Australia demanded an "immediate halt to violence," the release of political prisoners and an end to the use of lethal force.

The Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims issued a solidarity declaration supporting protesters.

Iran's Police Chief, Ahmadreza Radan, announced "targeted arrests of protest leaders" had commenced and accused detainees of incitement and receiving foreign currency.

Additional officials, including senior parliamentarians, attributed the turmoil to external meddling.

Nevertheless, certain domestic groups offered counter-narratives.

The Workers' House of Iran asserted citizens possessed "the right to protest their livelihood and economic conditions," characterizing this right as "legitimate and legal."

Educator organizations and legal associations voiced similar backing, attributing unrest to inflation and policy breakdowns.

HRANA stated it continues collecting and authenticating information and will provide additional briefings should demonstrations intensify.

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