BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFP) — Several Iraq-based Iranian Kurdish opposition parties have called for a general strike on Thursday in Iran in support of the protests in the Islamic republic, one of the exiled parties told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The protests began on 28 December when shopkeepers in Tehran staged a strike over high prices and economic stagnation, but they have since spread to other places and expanded to include political demands.

The Komala party, an exiled Iraq-based Iranian Kurdish separatist group that Tehran considers a terrorist organization, announced the strike on Wednesday.

“Seven Kurdish opposition parties have called for a general strike tomorrow Thursday,” said Komala central committee member Hassan Rahmanpanah.

“The aim of this call is to demonstrate the unified support of the Kurdish people for the struggle and protests being waged by the Iranian people against the Islamic republic,” he told AFP.

Rahmanpanah also accused the Iranian authorities of “brutal and criminal attacks” against demonstrators.

Iranian cop shot

In Tehran, an Iranian police officer was killed in a stabbing during unrest near the capital, local media reported on Thursday, as protests over the cost of living in the country entered a 12th day.

Shahin Dehghan, a member of the police force in Malard county west of Tehran, “was martyred a few hours ago after being stabbed during efforts to control unrest,” Fars news agency reported, adding that efforts to identify the perpetrators are underway.

Unrest broke out in Iran on 28 December after merchants in Tehran staged a protest against rising prices and the collapse of the rial, triggering a wave of similar actions in other cities.

The demonstrations have spread to 25 of Iran’s 31 provinces, according to an AFP tally based on official statements and local media, and left dozens killed including from security forces.

It is the most serious protest movement in the Islamic republic since the 2022 to 2023 nationwide rallies sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for allegedly violating the strict dress code for women.