The BBC and other independent media are barred from reporting from inside Iran. This makes it difficult to verify what is claimed by state media. Security forces have denied killing peaceful protesters, but they have been filmed firing live ammunition on the streets. In 2009, millions of people took to the streets after a disputed presidential election. Economic hardship triggered nationwide protests in 2017 and 2019. But they took place mostly in working class areas. Now though, for the first time, protests involve people from all sections of society and age groups.