Violent Clashes in Southwestern Iran Result in 2 Deaths and 30 Injuries

Violent clashes broke out during a protest demonstration in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, southwestern Iran, resulting in the deaths of 2 police officers and injuries to 30 others.

According to Iran's Fars News Agency, at around 10 a.m. local time on the 7th, about 300 shop owners gathered in several streets of Lordegan city, chanting slogans. Some protesters threw stones at police and damaged multiple government buildings. Some demonstrators were carrying weapons and opened fire on the police, causing casualties.

The report also stated that in a violent clash in Ilam Province, western Iran, on the 6th, one police officer was killed.

On the 7th, Iranian Army Commander-in-Chief Hatami said in a speech in Tehran that Iran would not ignore the escalation of threats from its enemies.

Hatami stated that the protests in Iran quickly turned into riots, which he described as “the result of enemy schemes.”

He pointed out that the combat readiness of Iran's armed forces has significantly improved compared to before the Iran-Israel conflict in June of last year, and stated, “If they make a mistake, we will respond more decisively and completely eliminate any aggressor.”

Hatami said that any malicious actions against Iran will bring long-term consequences, and that the Iranian Army will go all out to fulfill its mission of safeguarding the country’s independence, territorial integrity, and the system of the Islamic Republic.