NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
Iran came to a near standstill on Wednesday as businesses, universities and government offices closed under a government-ordered shutdown amid protests sparked by a growing political and economic crisis.
Video footage circulating online and shared by the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) shows heavy clashes between protesters and security forces in cities including Shiraz, Isfahan and Kermanshah, as well as Tehran.
In the videos, protesters are seen chanting anti-government slogans and facing security forces on crowded streets.
The footage includes scenes of shouting and open shooting, with protesters throwing objects and shouting, “Death to dictators” and “Proud Arakis, support, support.”
IRAN REPORTEDLY DEVELOPING CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES AS BAKA PROTESTS AGAINST ECONOMY
Iranian protests force a nationwide shutdown as President Masoud Pezeshkian closes businesses and offices in 21 provinces amid growing public anger. (MEK)
Additional images shared by the MEK show crowds chanting, “Death to Khamenei” and “Shame on you, shame on you!” as the anger seems to be spreading across the country, it is concentrated in the bazaar-led protests in Tehran.
Some of the most dramatic scenes were reported in the city of Fasa, in south-central Iran. A video circulating online shows protesters throwing objects at the gates of a government building and swinging them open.
Opposition groups also reported that protesters stormed the governor’s office, prompting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to open fire, according to Reuters.
IRAN’S PRESIDENT SAYS COUNTRY ‘AT WAR’ WITH US, ISRAEL AND EUROPE: Reports
Widespread protests grip Iran as President Pezeshkian faces mounting economic and political problems. (MEK)
Military helicopters were seen flying over the city, apparently to intimidate residents and prevent further unrest.
In Kermanshah, western Iran, bazaar vendors were seen confronting security forces while chanting, “No respect, no respect,” according to the video.
The one-day shutdown affected 21 of Iran’s 31 provinces, including Tehran, as President Masoud Pezeshkian sought to contain public anger fueled by inflation, financial instability and falling living standards.
IRAN KILLING SPREE CONTINUES AS REGIME SETS NEW KILLING RECORD BY 2025, DEFENDANT GROUP SAYS
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is pictured sitting next to Iran’s top military officer. (Getty Images)
Demonstrations, strikes and clashes with security forces continued for the fourth day in a row in cities across the country.
The upheaval has occurred and a series of high-level leadership changes have added to the uncertainty.
On Wednesday, Pezeshkian appointed Abdolnaser Hemmati, a former economy minister, as the new head of Iran’s central bank following the resignation of Mohammad Reza Farzin.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
State media quoted the president as admitting that the role was “very difficult and complicated,” warning that the central bank chief would face more pressure and criticism as the economic turmoil continued, according to IRNA.
Separately, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced the appointment of IRGC Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi as deputy commander in chief of the Revolutionary Guards.
