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A 21-year-old member of Iran's Basij paramilitary force was killed during protests in Lorestan Province, marking the first officially confirmed death since demonstrations erupted last Sunday, state television reported Thursday.
"A 21-year-old member of the Basij from the city of Kouhdasht was killed last night (Wednesday) by rioters while defending public order," state television said, citing Lorestan Province Deputy Governor Said Pourali.
The victim was identified as Amirhossam Khodayari Fard, according to reports.
Pourali said 13 police officers and Basij members were injured by stone throwing during the demonstrations in Kouhdasht.
The protests began on Sunday, Dec. 28, at Tehran's Grand Bazaar, where shopkeepers went on strike over the high cost of living and economic stagnation.
They then spread to other cities, including Mashhad, Karaj, Qeshm, Malard, Kerman, Hamadan, and Shiraz. Students at least 10 universities joined the protests on Tuesday.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged public dissatisfaction and said the government is responsible for current problems, calling on officials not to blame external actors like the United States.
"If people are not satisfied, it is our fault. Do not look for blame in the US or others. The responsibility is ours," Pezeshkian said during a visit to Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province.
Pezeshkian said the government must provide effective services, manage resources properly and find practical solutions to economic and social problems to eliminate public dissatisfaction.
He also announced that the government decided to end the practice of providing foreign currency to importers at the low government-set exchange rate for the import of certain products.
Iranian Government Spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said at a press conference in Tehran, "We see, hear and officially recognize the protests, crises and difficulties."
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said regarding the protests: "Malicious circles and organized movements want to turn all demands and protests of the people into chaos and violence using their trained elements in the field."
Tasnim news agency reported the arrest of seven people, it described as being affiliated with "groups hostile to the Islamic Republic based in the United States and Europe."
It said they had been "tasked with turning the demonstrations into violence." Tasnim did not say when they were arrested.
Iran's Prosecutor General recently stated that peaceful economic protests were legitimate, but any attempt to create insecurity would be met with a "decisive response."
"Any attempt to turn economic protests into a tool of insecurity, destruction of public property, or implementation of externally designed scenarios will inevitably be met with a legal, proportionate and decisive response," he said.
Israel's Foreign Ministry posted a threatening message on its Farsi X account featuring the Iranian flag from the Shah regime era, which was overthrown in 1979.
"All eyes are on Iran. You are not alone," the post said.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also posted on X using a photo from the protests: "Dear Iranian people, you are not alone."
The posts came as Israeli media reports increased about Israel threatening Tehran over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and preparing for a new attack following June's conflict.
Trump and Netanyahu reportedly discussed an attack on Iran at their meeting in Florida. At their joint press conference, Trump reiterated "threats" toward Iran and said there would be no "peace" in the Middle East today if they had not targeted Iran's nuclear facilities.
Asked whether he would support a possible Israeli attack on Iran, Trump replied: "If they continue making missiles, yes, I will allow it," emphasizing they could "immediately attack" if Iran returns to nuclear weapon production.
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