Former Official Warns Against Military Action Amid Iran Protests

Abdolnaser Hemmati became the new central bank head after Masoud Pezeshkian fired the previous governor following a currency collapse that sparked the largest protests in Iran since 2022.The government ordered a nationwide shutdown in 21 provinces as demonstrators in cities like Hamedan and Isfahan chanted slogans against the regime amid 72 percent food inflation.State media confirmed the death of a 21-year-old Basij volunteer in Kouhdasht while Ahmad Vahidi was appointed to a top security post to manage the growing unrest.