At least one person was killed in Iran's southern city of Kazeroon when protesters set fire to a police station, the semi-official Fars news agency reported Thursday.
It said the protest Wednesday night had left at least one person dead and at least six others wounded.
"A small number of people gathered to protest against a decision made by local officials to divide some districts of Kazeroon and merge them into a new town," Fars reported.
Iran's ruling elite are anxious to prevent any repeat of unrest in December, when people staged demonstrations in 80 cities and towns over poor living standards, some calling on Shi’ite clerical leaders to step down.
A local official said the situation was under control in Kazeroon but "there were still sporadic protests," the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) reported.
Fars rejected as "false and exaggerated" reports by some opposition groups that several people had been killed in clashes with security forces and dozens arrested.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency said peaceful protests had been taking place for weeks over the decision in Kazeroon, 900 kilometers south of Tehran.
"The protests ... ended after authorities promised to stop changing the city's map," Tasnim reported.
"But people are upset as the government has yet to announce its decision about the division of the city."
Some videos on social media showed security forces firing tear gas. There were also photos of bodies and injured people. Their authenticity could not be verified by Reuters.
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has assured Iranians that their oil-reliant economy can withstand new sanctions, after the United States walked out of Iran's nuclear deal with major powers on May 8.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will impose "the highest level of economic sanctions" on Tehran.
The European signatories of the deal are scrambling to keep it alive and protect their Iranian trade.
Reuters
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