Anti-government protests in Iran have entered their third week

(MENAFN) Demonstrations against Iran’s government have stretched into a third consecutive week, spreading across the country as frustration mounts over worsening economic conditions and the sharp decline of the national currency.

Reports indicate that many shopkeepers have joined the unrest by shutting down their businesses in a coordinated strike, highlighting the depth of public anger. On Sunday, the Iranian president made his first public comments since the protests began last month, pledging that the administration is committed to tackling the nation’s economic challenges.

Meanwhile, Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, urged authorities to take “decisive action” against what he described as “rioters.”

For more than 72 hours, internet access and phone services have been largely cut off nationwide, leaving millions isolated. Monitoring groups confirm that restrictions “remain firmly in place,” severely limiting communication and information flow.

Violence has escalated in recent days, with reports of clashes near Tehran’s outskirts where a police officer was killed. Rights organizations estimate that at least 544 people have lost their lives so far, including both protesters and members of the security forces, while more than 1,000 have been injured.

Detentions have also surged. According to rights monitors, at least 10,681 individuals have been arrested during demonstrations across 585 locations, spanning 186 cities in all 31 provinces.

The scale of the unrest underscores the severity of Iran’s economic crisis and the growing challenge faced by the government as it struggles to contain widespread dissent.

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