On December 31 (local time), protesters chanting anti-government slogans pull down the Iranian flag from a government building's flagpole. [Photo=YouTube video capture] 

Videos shared online by the People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK) show fierce clashes between protesters and security forces in several cities, including Shiraz, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Tehran. [Photo=YouTube video capture]

Amidst the appointment of a hardline commander by Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei, protests, strikes, and clashes continue across Iran. 

On December 31 (local time), Iran is in a state of paralysis with businesses, universities, and government offices closed due to a government lockdown order related to escalating protests. The entire country has come to a standstill. 

Videos shared online by the People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK) show fierce clashes between protesters and security forces in several cities, including Shiraz, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Tehran. 

Some videos depict scenes of what appear to be gunshots accompanied by screams, while protesters threw objects and shouted, "Death to the dictator!" "Death to Khamenei!" and "Proud Aras, we support you, we support you!"

In addition, protesters chanting anti-government slogans pulled down the Iranian flag from a government building's flagpole.

The unrest in Iran was triggered when crowds took to the streets, fueled by a boiling point of dissatisfaction with the government's incompetence, exacerbated by severe economic hardship due to Western sanctions, and compounded by water shortages leading to disruptions in water and electricity supply.

Reporter Lim Yo-hee