Iranian authorities have ordered schools in many major cities to close in-person classes as protests entered their 15th day, Iranian media reported on Sunday.
State and semi-official outlets said schools in cities including Tehran, Isfahan, North Khorasan, Hormozgan, Kermanshah and East Azerbaijan would suspend classroom teaching for up to two days, with some closures extended until the end of the week. Lessons will continue online, the reports said.
Kindergartens and first-grade classes are also included in the closures, according to Iranian media.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the measures were taken amid continued unrest across the country, though authorities have not officially linked the closures to the protests.
Iranian media also said President Masoud Pezeshkian is expected to address the public later on Sunday.
Iran has seen nationwide protests for more than two weeks, sparked initially by economic grievances following a sharp fall in the rial and rising prices, before expanding into broader political demands. Demonstrations have turned violent in some areas.
The Associated Press reported on Saturday, citing the Norway-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), that at least 74 people, including nine members of the security forces, have been killed since the protests began.
HRANA said about 2,300 people have been arrested nationwide. Deaths have been reported in cities including Lordegan, Gachsaran, Hamedan, Bandar Abbas and Mashhad, as well as in Gilan province.
Iranian state media reported on Saturday that two police officers were killed during clashes in Qom province, with authorities blaming protesters for the deaths.
Iranian officials have not released comprehensive casualty figures and have described the demonstrations as riots instigated by hostile foreign actors.
