Protests and street gatherings have been recorded in at least 174 locations across Iran over the past seven days, a rights group said, despite an intensified security crackdown aimed at curbing dissent.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said demonstrations, labor strikes and street protests were reported in 60 cities across 25 provinces, indicating that unrest has extended beyond major urban centers into smaller cities and surrounding areas.
The group said protest activity had taken varied forms, including at least 18 student gatherings at 15 universities.
According to HRANA, at least 582 people were arrested during the past week, a figure it described as a minimum estimate, warning that the actual number is likely higher due to reporting restrictions and security pressure.
The data showed a significant number of those detained were minors. In the southwestern city of Yasouj alone, at least 81 people were arrested, including 70 under the age of 18, HRANA said.
Arrests of teenagers aged 15 to 17 were also reported in cities including Sabzevar, Izeh, Zahedan, Isfahan and Yasouj.
HRANA said it had confirmed at least 16 deaths linked to the protests during the seven-day period, including one member of Iran’s security forces. The remaining fatalities were civilians, it said.
At least 44 protesters were wounded by live ammunition or pellet fire, according to HRANA and separate reporting by Iran International. Dozens of others were injured by beatings, tear gas or during arrests, the reports said.
HRANA warned that the death toll could rise, citing conflicting official accounts, pressure on families and severe limits on information flow.
Iranian authorities have not issued comprehensive public figures on arrests or casualties.
