Iran: Deadly clashes between protesters and police in Kazeroun May 16

Event

Clashes broke out between protesters and police officers in Kazeroun (Fars province) on the evening of Wednesday, May 16 (local time), leaving at least one person dead and six others wounded. Demonstrators reportedly set fire to a police station during the protest. Additional protests are possible in Kazeroun in the coming weeks. A heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are expected near protest sites.

Context

Multiple demonstrations have been organized in Kazeroun over the past two months to denounce a plan by authorities to divide the area into multiple administrative entities. Iranian government officials recently abandoned the initiative, which has since quelled related protest activity.

Iran has witnessed a multitude of protests over various grievances in cities across the country since December 2017. In recent weeks, protests and strikes have been held in cities throughout Iran over water issues, insufficient wages, political prisoners, border closures, political administration issues, poor university administration, and mismanagement of financial institutions.

Advice

Individuals in Iran, particularly in Kazeroun, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.