Protests against Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have turned violent as the New Year began. According to reports by the Associated Press, several protesters and at least seven people have died in clashes between demonstrators and security forces.

The protests, which have been going on for nearly a week, first started in cities but have now spread to smaller towns and rural areas. Security forces and protesters have clashed in many places across the country.

Earlier, university students in Tehran came out on the streets shouting slogans like “Death to the dictator”. Some protesters also showed support for Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s former Shah, who was removed from power during the 1979 revolution. People were heard chanting “Long live the Shah” in parts of the capital.

Reza Pahlavi, who lives in the United States, shared a message on social media saying he stood with the protesters. He said Iran’s economy would keep getting worse as long as the current leadership stayed in power.

The protests are mainly happening because of high prices, inflation, and the falling value of Iran’s currency. Many shopkeepers and traders began protesting after prices rose sharply and the government failed to control the situation. This unrest later spread to students and ordinary citizens.

Deaths have been reported from Lordegan, Kuhdasht, and Isfahan, showing how widely the protests have spread. Iranian news agency Fars said two people were killed in Lordegan during clashes. A rights group called Hengaw said more people were killed or injured there by security forces.

The Revolutionary Guards said that a member of their volunteer force, the Basij, was killed in Kuhdasht and several others were injured. However, Hengaw claimed that the Basij member was actually protesting and was killed by security forces. These reports could not be independently confirmed.

Protests were also reported in other areas like Marvdasht, Kermanshah, Khuzestan, and Hamedan, where several demonstrators were detained. Iran’s economy has been badly affected by Western sanctions, high inflation, and recent military tensions. Inflation reached over 42% in December, and the Iranian currency lost almost half its value last year.

The government said it is ready to talk to traders and workers but has also increased security to control the protests. In recent years, Iran has often responded strongly to protests related to prices, jobs, and freedoms, leading to arrests and violence.