Protests Erupt in Southwest Iran Amid Severe Drought and Water Crisis

In the Khuzestan province of Iran, protests held today due to drought conditions resulted in the death of at least one person who was shot, reports Reuters. A local official is quoted by the agency stating, "During the rally, those inciting disorder fired into the air to provoke the crowd, but unfortunately, one of the bullets hit a man on stage."

Video footage circulated on social media shows protest participants burning tires to block roads, while Iranian security forces attempt to disperse the crowd amid gunfire.

According to the agency, Iran is currently experiencing its strongest drought in the past 50 years. The largest protest took place in the city of Susangerd, which has a population of 120,000.