Iran protests: At least 16 killed, rights groups say

Rights groups reported at least 16 people killed during a week of protests over high inflation in Iran; authorities have also reported arrests and said they have been detaining protest leaders. Undetermined at this time.

Rights groups and Iranian sources reported deaths and arrests after a week of protests sparked by soaring inflation. The demonstrations began among bazaar traders and shopkeepers and spread to university students and provincial cities. Iranian officials have acknowledged economic problems and said they would engage in dialogue while also detaining people they identify as leaders of unrest. Reuters has not independently verified the casualty and arrest figures. Reported facts: - Rights networks reported fatalities: HRANA said at least 16 people had been killed and Kurdish group Hengaw reported at least 17 since the protests began. - HRANA reported 582 arrests overall, and Tehran police said 40 people were detained in the capital over what they described as "fake posts." - Iran's police chief said security forces had been targeting protest leaders and that administrators of online accounts urging protests had been detained. - Protests began with traders and shopkeepers and spread across the country, with the most intense clashes reported in western provinces and incidents also in Tehran and Baluchistan. Summary: Reported deaths and arrests have occurred amid deep economic strain in Iran, including high inflation and a weakened currency. Officials have combined offers of dialogue with forceful actions against people they say are leading unrest. Undetermined at this time.