Tehran: Protesters and security forces clashed in southwest Iran on Thursday, local media reported, just days after demonstrators took to the streets over economic hardships.

The Fars news agency said that in the city of Lordegan, “some protesters began throwing stones at the city's administrative buildings, including the provincial governor's office, the mosque, the Martyrs' Foundation, the town hall and banks.”

Police responded with tear gas, and an unspecified number of people were injured.

During related demonstrations in Kouhdasht, state authorities said, “13 police officers and Basij members were injured by stone throwing,” according to local media.

The protests initially began in Tehran, where shopkeepers went on strike over high living costs and economic stagnation. The unrest spread to other cities after students at at least 10 universities joined demonstrations on Tuesday.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on the government to take measures to improve the economic situation. “From an Islamic perspective... if we do not resolve the issue of people's livelihoods, we will end up in hell,” Pezeshkian said at an event broadcast on state television.

Meanwhile, a separate report highlighted Iran’s record use of capital punishment in 2025. The Norway-based Iran Human Rights group said the country executed at least 1,500 people last year, calling it “unprecedented” in 35 years.

"It is unprecedented in the last 35 years. As long as Iran Human Rights has existed, we have never had such numbers," said Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, the group's director.

State media has repeatedly described demonstrators as rioters during past protest movements.