The demonstrations in Iran are in their second week, after skyrocketing costs and a lowered standard of living caused shopkeepers in Tehran to close their stores.
The protests have since spread.
On Monday night, protests reportedly took place in the capital Tehran, in Shiraz in the south and in areas of western Iran, according to the US-based HRANA. The human rights organization writes in a report that at least 20 deaths have been confirmed during eight days of protests. One of the dead is said to have been a member of the security forces. At the same time, at least 990 demonstrators have been arrested, the organization says.
Demonstrations have taken place in 23 of Iran's 31 provinces, according to an AFP tally based on official announcements and media reports.
“Hardly hit by the USA”
The protests are the largest since the fall of 2022, following the high-profile death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Zhina Amini after she was arrested by the morality police.
US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran.
"We are watching it very closely. If they start killing people like they have done in the past, I think they will be hit hard by the United States," he told reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday night, local time in Sweden.
The statement came after the United States arrested Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro over the weekend.
However, Iran's judiciary stated on Monday that it will show no mercy to "rioters".
Several dead
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards opened fire on protesters in Malekshahi, Ilam province, in western Iran, on Saturday. Four people were reportedly killed there, according to Norway-based Hengaw. The human rights group is also investigating reports of two more deaths.
Iran Human Rights (IHR) – also based in Norway – reported that four people were killed and around 30 injured after “security forces attacked protests” in Malekshahi. Funerals were reportedly held on Sunday.
According to Iranian media, one security force member was killed in clashes with “rioters” who allegedly tried to storm a police station. Two “attackers” were reportedly killed.
