Iran: Five dead in Khuzestan province shooting, state media says

At least five people were killed when "terrorist elements" shot at protesters and security forces in Iran's southwestern Khuzestan province, state media said on Wednesday, citing an unidentified official.

"Armed and terrorist elements" on two motorcycles arrived at a central market in the city of Izeh and opened fire on protesters and security forces there, leaving five dead and at least 10 wounded, state news agency IRNA reported.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the reported attack.

On 26 October, at least 13 people were killed in an armed attack claimed by the Islamic State group on the Shah Cheragh mausoleum in Shiraz, according to an official toll.

Iran has been gripped by protests – which the authorities claim are "riots" – since the 16 September death of 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian Mahsa Amini, three days after her arrest by the morality police for allegedly wearing her hijab 'incorrectly'.

Amini's Kurdish first name can be spelt "Jina" or "Zhina".

Those demonstrations have seen killed dozens of people killed – mainly protesters, but also members of the security forces – over the last two months, according to the authorities.