Similar reports are coming from Malekshahi in Ilam province. Ali Safavi, a member of the NCRI's foreign affairs committee, stated in an interview with Fox News that local residents "are in control of the situation" and are marking this event in the streets.
Maryam Rajavi, president of the National Council for Human Rights in Iran, expressed support for the protesters via the social network X, noting that the demonstrators "forced the regime's security forces to retreat."
The German publication Bild reported that videos show Iranian police in Abdanan applauding the protesters, which they believe indicates the "instability of the regime."
Protests in Iran have been ongoing since late December, triggered by rising inflation and a sharp decline in the national currency - the rial, covering, according to the opposition, about 100 cities. To disperse the demonstrations, authorities are using tear gas and water cannons, and internet disruptions are also being reported.
According to the human rights organization Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 36 people have died during the protests, and more than 2,000 have been detained.
Reza Pahlavi, the leader of the Iranian opposition, has identified a "historic opportunity" for a change of power, while Iranian authorities point to a "foreign conspiracy" as the source of the protests.
U.S. President Donald Trump previously stated that the U.S. would "come to help" if Iranian security forces began to use violence against protesters. In Tehran, these words were characterized as reckless, and authorities threatened strikes on American bases in the Middle East.
Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei emphasized that "the rioters need to be put in their place" and promised "not to yield to the enemy." Iranian journalist Abbas Juma commented on reports from the British newspaper The Times about a possible escape of Khamenei to Russia in the event of an escalation of protests, calling them unlikely and lacking serious grounds.
