Iranian protests claim lives of prosecutor, security personnel in North Khorasan

Iranian security forces reportedly opened fire on protesters in the city of Zahedan, in southeastern Iran, on January 9, injuring several individuals.

The shooting occurred near the Makki Mosque, where large demonstrations by Baluch citizens erupted following Friday prayers, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iranian media.

Separately, violence in the city of Esfarayen in North Khorasan province resulted in the deaths of an Iranian prosecutor and several security personnel.

"An Iranian prosecutor and several security personnel were killed during unrest in the city of Esfarayen in North Khorasan province, the head of the province’s judiciary said on Friday," Iran International said in a post on X.

An Iranian prosecutor and several security personnel were killed during unrest in the city of Esfarayen in North Khorasan province, the head of the province’s judiciary said on Friday.https://t.co/FE1qUqO2pN pic.twitter.com/cNV5OJ0u5W

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) January 9, 2026

“Last night, during the unrest in Esfarayen, Ali Akbar Hosseinzadeh, the public and revolutionary prosecutor, was present in the city to carry out field supervision alongside police and security forces,” the official said.

He added that what he described as rioters “set fire to the trailer where the prosecutor and security personnel were stationed and did not allow emergency teams to reach them.”

“Orders have been issued to identify those responsible for this incident,” the official said, without providing further details on the ongoing investigation.

The protests began on December 28, when traders at Tehran’s central bazaar took to the streets over the currency collapse, before spreading nationwide. Vendors of mobile phones, electronics and household appliances—who buy goods in foreign currency but sell in local money—have been among the most active participants, with students and other social groups later joining the demonstrations.

By Vafa Guliyeva