Iran Security Forces Fire on Mourners in Abdanan

In the western Iranian town of Abdanan, security forces opened fire on a crowd of mourners gathered at a cemetery on February 17, 2026, during a ceremony marking the 40th day since the death of 16-year-old protester Alireza Seydi, who was killed in Tehran amid nationwide unrest. Witnesses reported chants of "Death to the dictator," referring to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the gathering turned into an antigovernment demonstration, prompting the use of live ammunition to disperse the crowd.

The incident in Abdanan, in Ilam province, injured at least three people and led to the arrest of nine others, according to a Kurdish Iranian rights group. Videos verified by multiple observers showed mourners fleeing amid gunfire, though official casualty figures have not been released by Iranian authorities. Similar clashes occurred in cities including Mashhad and Hamedan, where security forces intervened to prevent memorials from escalating. Internet access was restricted in affected areas, limiting real-time reporting.

These events are part of a series of 40-day mourning ceremonies held across Iran this week, commemorating victims of the violent crackdown on protests that...