At least 19 dead in Iran protests

According to unconfirmed reports circulated online, between 100 and 800 people have been detained in protests in Iran. At least 19 people have been killed.

Iranian students clash with riot police during protests.

A policeman is among 13 dead amid anti-government protests in Iran. (AAP)

Nine people have been killed across Iran overnight amid a wave of anti-government protests, state television reports.

The latest deaths bring the number of people killed in the violence to at least 19, according to official sources.

It was not clear if those killed in the overnight clashes were demonstrators, police, or members of the country's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.

According to the report, one Revolutionary Guard member, who had previously been identified as a policeman, was shot dead in the central city of Najafabad.

The report said the man's death was proof that some of the demonstrators are armed.

There were also unconfirmed reports that police in a dozen cities were reported to have shot at protesters, possibly causing further deaths.

Ten other people were confirmed dead across the country, according to official figures, forcing President Hassan Rowhani and his government to address demonstrators' demands.

"The problems of the people are not simply economic in nature. They're also demanding more freedoms," Rowhani said Monday, in an indirect attack on regime hardliners who oppose his attempts to push through political and cultural reforms.

According to unconfirmed reports circulated online, between 100 and 800 people have been detained in the protests.


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Published 2 January 2018 7:24pm
Source: AAP


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