Iran came to a virtual halt on Wednesday with businesses, universities, and government offices shutting down under a state-mandated closure during protests triggered by an escalating political and economic crisis.

Online video footage distributed by the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) reveals intense scenes in cities such as Shiraz, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Tehran.

The videos show protesters shouting anti-government slogans and facing off against security forces on packed streets.

The footage captured sounds of screaming and what appeared to be gunfire, as demonstrators hurled objects and chanted, “Death to the Dictator” and “Proud Arakis, support, support.”

Further footage from MEK shows crowds yelling, “Death to Khamenei!” and “Shame on you, shame on you!” as fury seems to be spreading nationwide, notably through bazaar-driven demonstrations in Tehran.

Among the most striking incidents occurred in Fasa, a city in south-central Iran. Videos shared online depict demonstrators throwing objects at a government compound’s gates and shaking them until they gave way.

Opposition groups also stated that protesters breached the governor’s office, leading Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces to fire shots, per .

Military helicopters were observed hovering over the city, seemingly to intimidate locals and stop the unrest from expanding.

In Kermanshah, western Iran, footage shows bazaar merchants challenging security forces while shouting, “Dishonorable, dishonorable.”

The single-day closure impacted 21 of Iran’s 31 provinces, including Tehran, as President Masoud Pezeshkian attempted to control rising public outrage driven by and deteriorating living conditions.

with security forces persisted for a fourth straight day in cities throughout the nation.

The unrest has occurred alongside a series of high-level that have increased uncertainty.

On Wednesday, Pezeshkian named Abdolnaser Hemmati, a former economy minister, as the following Mohammad Reza Farzin’s resignation.

State media cited the president as recognizing the position was “extremely difficult and complex,” cautioning that the new central bank head would encounter severe pressure and criticism during continued economic upheaval, according to .

Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared the appointment of IRGC Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi as deputy commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary Guards.