Iran Protests Turn Deadly: Paramilitary Member Killed, New Central Bank Governor Appointed

• A member of Iran's Basij paramilitary force, Ali Azizi, was killed in Harsin during ongoing nationwide protests, as reported by Mehr news agency.
• The protests, now in their seventh day, began over economic issues like the falling rial and rising prices, but have expanded to include political demands.
• Clashes on Thursday reportedly left seven people dead, with demonstrators chanting "death to the dictator" and "woman, life, freedom."
• Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian's cabinet appointed Abdolnasser Hemmati as the new central bank Governor, replacing Mohammad Reza Farzin, amidst the economic turmoil and protests.
• The protests have spread across cities and social groups, including women's rights activists, shopkeepers, and students, following earlier large demonstrations in 2022.

Why It Matters: Iran's protests escalate with a paramilitary death and a new central bank chief amid economic and political unrest.