Iran: Violent protests kill at least 20 Jan.1 /update 6

Event

Protests continued across Iran for a fifth consecutive day on Monday, January 1. Nine people were reportedly killed amid protests in various cities of the Isfahan region in the night between January 1 and January 2. Media reports that six people were killed during an attack on a police station in Qahderijan; two people were killed in the city of Khomeini Shahr; and one member of the Revolutionary Guard was killed in Kahriz Sang.The total death toll has reached 21 since the protests began on Thursday, December 28, and at least 450 people were arrested by the regime.

Although President Hassan Rouhani has called the protesters' complaints legitimate, he has also vowed to stop "rioters and lawbreakers." Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has stated that anti-government protesters will face retribution if the unrest continues, leading to fears of further violence and crackdowns. On Sunday, December 31  Iranian authorities reportedly temporarily restricted access to social media platforms, including Telegram and Instagram, which had been used to organize demonstrations. However,  the Iranian Minister for Communications and Technology disputed the reports on Monday, calling them "rumors."

A heightened security presence, as well as additional protests and consequent transportation disruptions, are expected throughout Iran in the coming days.

Context

Protests against high prices, state economic policy, high unemployment, and perceived government corruption have sprung up in many cities across Iran, spreading from demonstrations that occurred on December 28 in Mashhad. The ongoing protests are considered the largest such demonstrations expressing public dissatisfaction with the economic and sociopolitical status quo since the Green Movement protests of 2009. Pro-government counter-demonstrations also occurred in Tehran and other major cities on December 30.

The Iranian economy has generally improved since the country signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or "Iran nuclear deal," in 2015. Public frustration has risen in recent months, however, as many of the JCPOA's promised economic benefits have yet to reach much of the Iranian population.

Advice

Individuals in Iran are advised to strictly avoid all protests and public gatherings, to closely monitor developments to the situation, and to adhere to all advice issued by their home governments. A heightened security presence should be anticipated across the country in the coming days; adopt a cooperative attitude in any interactions with local authorities. Generally speaking, foreign nationals in Iran should maintain a low profile and refrain from commenting on the current political climate (including online), taking photographs of protests, or any other actions that could draw undue attention.