TEHRAN, Jan 8 (NNN-IRNA) – Two Iranian police officers were killed and 30 others injured yesterday, during clashes in south-western Iran, the semi-official Fars news agency reported, as nationwide protests over economic grievances entered their 11th day.
The violence erupted in the city of Lordegan, in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, after approximately 300 shopkeepers closed their stores and took to the streets, at around 10:00 a.m. local time (0630 GMT), the report said.
Fars said, a group of “rioters,” armed with military-grade and hunting weapons, opened fire on security forces amid an “intense atmosphere.” The agency identified the slain officers as Hadi Azar-Salim and Moslem Mahdavinasab.
The unrest, which has spread to more than 20 cities since late Dec, was initially sparked by the sharp depreciation of the rial and rising prices. While Iranian authorities have pledged to address economic hardships, they have warned of a crackdown on violence and “vandalism.”
The latest fatalities follow the death of another police officer, Ehsan Aghajani, who was killed in clashes in western Ilam province on Tuesday, according to state media.
Around 30 people have been killed since the demonstrations began, according to various reports. There is no official data on the toll.– NNN-IRNA