Iranian authorities arrested 30 people in Malard, west of Tehran, on January 2 for disrupting public order during protests over the country's economic crisis, the city's deputy political governor announced.

The arrests followed coordinated operations by security and intelligence agencies, with officials accusing those detained of abusing citizens' legal right to protest and creating insecurity, Namenews reported.

Several of those arrested had travelled to Malard from neighbouring cities and are now in custody whilst their cases undergo investigation, according to the announcement. Authorities said some individuals were attempting to recruit young people during the demonstrations.

At least 6–7 people have been reported killed in Iran’s latest round of protests over the worsening economy in the past few days, based on official and media tallies.

State-linked and official Iranian sources have confirmed at least 6 deaths in clashes between protesters and security forces across several western and central cities (including Lorestan and Chaharmahal‑o‑Bakhtiari), with some reports putting the toll at 7 when including a Basij/Revolutionary Guard volunteer.

Other cities and towns across the country have also seen battled between security forces, police and protestors, which the government has urged to cool tensions. 

In the Isfahan area of central Iran, an alleged video seen by bne Intellinews of a masked security person running through the streets, shooting at a potential protester; however, the video on social media could not be confirmed for the time and date. 

In a second video, people are seen attacking a pharmacy in the northern Caspian Sea-bordering city of Qazvin, and security officials in that city are seen then forcing people away from shops. 

The arrests come as Iran faces mounting pressure from nationwide protests over living costs, triggered by the collapse of the rial and inflation exceeding 40%.

Authorities ordered a one-day shutdown of Tehran and several provinces on December 30 in response to the unrest. President Masoud Pezeshkian has moved to soften aspects of the controversial 2026 budget in an apparent effort to ease tensions.

The deputy governor's statement did not provide details on potential charges against those detained or the duration of their custody.