The city of Abdanan, located near the Iraqi border, has been completely taken over by protesters. This was reported by the National Council of Resistance of Iran. Additionally, protesters have also taken control of Malekshahi. Videos have surfaced showing people in Abdanan chanting: "Death to Khamenei" and "This year is the year of blood; Ali Khamenei will be overthrown." It is reported that Iranian police, from the roof of one of the buildings, greeted the demonstrators by applauding them.
Ali Safavi, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, noted: "Today, an important event occurred in two cities in western Iran—they came under the control of the protesters, and people are celebrating in the streets."
Anti-government protests in Iran have been ongoing for ten days, triggered by the devaluation of the national currency and nearly 50% inflation, exacerbated by sanctions and the repercussions of the conflict with Israel. According to Iranian sources, more than two thousand protesters have been detained, and the death toll, including two security personnel, has reached 36.
The British newspaper The Times reports that Supreme Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has prepared an escape plan to Moscow with close associates and assets in case the Iranian authorities fail to suppress the protests.
