Political situation in Iran

At least three dead in protests in Iran

At least three people have died in the increasingly widespread protests against the government in Iran, reports the AP. These are the first reports of deaths since the protests, which were triggered by an economic crisis, gained momentum over the weekend.

Clips that have been circulated on social media show how demonstrators gathered on a street, with gunshots in the background. The US-based organization Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights states that at least two of the dead have been identified as protesters.

At another demonstration, a 21-year-old, a volunteer in Iran's Revolutionary Guard, was reportedly killed.

According to the AP, the deaths could mark the start of a more hard-line approach from the regime, which has historically responded to demonstrations with great violence.

The Iran protests — the point

• Iran's currency, the rial, fell to record lows against the dollar at the end of December.
• Protests against the economic crisis began in Tehran, where shopkeepers closed their shops and hundreds of demonstrators gathered.
• The demonstrations have spread to universities, where students have been urged to join.
• The protests have been described as the largest in Iran in three years and also include women's rights activists and students.
• Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged the government to listen to the protesters' demands, and the central bank governor has been replaced.