Memory events in Iran turned into demonstrations and clashes
Commemoration events were held in Iran on February 17 to remember those who died during anti-government protests. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
Although these ceremonies, held in several cities, were expected to be peaceful, clashes between protesters and security forces were observed in some places. The events in the city of Abadan were widely discussed on social media.
Videos showed people holding flowers and pictures of the deceased while chanting slogans against the government. Some footage also showed crowds scattering in panic under the sound of gunfire.
Commemoration events were also held in the city of Mashhad, where slogans such as "One person was killed – thousands stand behind him" were reportedly chanted. Overall, the memorial events openly expressed the pain and dissatisfaction within society.
At the same time, an official event was organized by the government in Tehran. State officials, including Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, participated in the ceremony held at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque.
During the event, slogans aligned with the state’s position were chanted, and the memory of the victims was honored. The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Esmail Qaani, sharply criticized and warned those supporting the unrest.
The roots of these events trace back to the protest movement that began at the end of 2025. Initially sparked by economic reasons, these demonstrations soon took on a political character and spread across the entire country.
During this period, numerous reports emerged about communication restrictions, internet outages, and the use of force. There are varying figures regarding the number of victims.
The government stated that 3,117 people died, including civilians and security personnel. Independent sources report that this number exceeds 7,005.
Therefore, determining the full scale of the events remains difficult. In conclusion, the events of February 17 once again highlighted the deep divisions and unresolved issues within society.
One side demands "control," while the other demands "justice." How these matters will develop in the coming days remains unknown.
