Iran denies protesters seized control of Abdanan and Malekshahi

Iranian news agencies have denied Western media reports claiming that protesters had seized control of Malekshahi district in the country’s west, RIA Novosti reports.

“After several tense hours in Malekshahi, including clashes with armed individuals that resulted in the death of a security officer, the situation has been stabilized thanks to the presence of security forces in the district,” Tasnim reports.

The agency clarified that criminals associated with separatist groups incited violence during the funerals of two people killed in the unrest.

Attacks were also carried out on banks, with documents and equipment destroyed. The assailants fired on security forces while calling on protesters to disperse.

According to Mehr, a peaceful assembly in Abdanan under police supervision continued until approximately 7:00 p.m., after which participants began to disperse. A separate group of 250–300 people broke away and engaged in vandalism and arson across different parts of the city. Thanks to the efforts of security forces, order was restored in Abdanan and the situation remains under control.