Hussain Hazbavi 
Protests continued across Iran for the eighth consecutive day, with demonstrations, strikes, and student unrest reported at 222 locations in 78 cities across 26 provinces, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
Despite tightened security measures, a heavier presence of police and security forces, and ongoing clashes in several areas, HRANA said the geographic spread of the protests has remained unchanged.
Over the past eight days, at least 20 people have been killed, including 19 civilians and one member of the security forces, based on figures verified by HRANA. At least 51 others have been injured, most of them by pellet and rubber bullets.
The unrest initially began with labor strikes and professional gatherings before expanding into broader street protests, limited commercial shutdowns, and student demonstrations. In many cases, students have openly chanted slogans calling for regime change. HRANA reported student activism at 17 universities during the unrest.
In the past 24 hours alone, protests and unrest were reported in more than 20 cities, including Tehran, Mashhad, Shiraz, Karaj, Qazvin, Yazd, Bandar Abbas, Tabriz, Kermanshah, Khorramabad, Shahrud, Dorud, Gachsaran, Yasuj, Bushehr, Lahijan, Nishapur, Mahallat, Rudbar, Borujerd, and Marvdasht. Security deployments were also intensified in several areas.
The protests have extended beyond major urban centers, with smaller cities and regional towns also affected, highlighting the horizontal spread of unrest across different social and geographic groups.
Verified reports and videos from multiple cities show continued use of force by security services, including tear gas, live ammunition, pellet guns, and mass arrests.
The deadliest crackdown was reported in Malekshahi, in western Iran’s Ilam province, where security forces opened fire on protesters on Saturday, killing at least five people and injuring around 30 others, according to information obtained by Iran International.
