The article reports that a provincial government office in Fasa was damaged amid economic protests that began in Tehran's large mobile phone market. Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad recognized the legitimacy of economic grievances but warned of a legal, proportionate and decisive response if protests turn violent or are exploited. Students from at least 10 universities have joined demonstrations, while economic strains — including a steep rial decline and 52% inflation in December — are fueling public anger. Authorities say a bank holiday and class‑moving measures were for weather and energy savings, not explicitly for unrest.
Protests Over Cost of Living Spread in Iran; Provincial Government Office in Fasa Attacked
There have been several days of protests in Iran, focused on the capital, against the tough economic conditions (HANDOUT)(HANDOUT/FARS NEWS AGENCY/AFP)
Authorities said a provincial government office in the southern city of Fasa was damaged on Wednesday as protests over worsening economic conditions spread from Tehran. The incident, in which part of a governor's office door and its glass were destroyed, was reported by Hamed Ostovar, head of the judiciary in Fasa, to the justice ministry's Mizan news agency. Officials did not provide details about how the damage occurred.
Prosecutor Signals Firm Response
Iran's prosecutor general, Mohammad Movahedi-Azad, acknowledged that citizens' economic grievances are legitimate but warned that authorities will act if demonstrations threaten public order.
"Peaceful livelihood protests are part of social and understandable realities," Movahedi-Azad told state media. "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."
How the Protests Began and Who Joined
The unrest began on Sunday in Tehran's largest mobile phone market, where many shopkeepers closed their stores in protest against prolonged economic stagnation. The demonstrations gained momentum when students from at least 10 universities in Tehran and other cities took part. University of Tehran officials said four students were briefly detained and later released.
Despite these developments, the protests so far remain relatively small and concentrated in central Tehran; many shops across the capital of about 10 million people continued to operate.
Economic Pressures
Iran's economy has been under strain for years amid heavy U.S. and international sanctions tied to its nuclear program. The national currency, the rial, has lost more than a third of its value against the U.S. dollar since last year, and official figures showed inflation of 52% year‑on‑year in December. For many Iranians, basic necessities have become increasingly unaffordable.
One protester told the daily Etemad, "Everyone here is fighting for a scrap of bread," reflecting widespread frustration over living costs.
External Messaging and Official Responses
The prosecutor's remarks followed a provocative Persian‑language social media post by Israel's Mossad, which told Iranians it was "with you on the ground" and urged people to "go out into the streets together." Iran does not recognize Israel and has long accused it of sabotage and targeted killings related to its nuclear program.
On Wednesday schools, banks and some public offices were closed for a bank holiday that officials said was intended to save energy amid cold weather; state media reported that several universities moved classes online for the coming week. Authorities have not publicly linked the holiday to the protests.
Context
Iran has a history of large nationwide protests, including major unrest in 2022 after the death in custody of Mahsa Amini and in 2019 following a sharp fuel-price hike. The current demonstrations have not reached the scale of the 2022 movement, which led to widespread clashes and hundreds of deaths.
