Arvin Salemi-Rad

Arvin Salemi-Rad was a 16-year-old football player from Bushehr, born on 26 Farvardin 1388 (15 April 2009). He was an eleventh-grade student of cabinet-making. He began playing football seriously at about the age of nine, played for Fajr and later for FC Pars Bushehr, and was soon to travel to Dubai for football. He also worked in his family's sandwich shop, often until about one in the morning.

On 18 Dey 1404 (8 January 2026), during the nationwide protests, he was shot on Ashouri Street in Bushehr by forces firing from a Basij base at the Quran Mosque. More than 18 pellets struck his head. He was taken to Khalij-e Fars Hospital, where he remained in a coma. He died of his wounds on 3 Bahman 1404 (23 January 2026).

His body was held until 6 Bahman 1404 (26 January 2026) and released to his family on condition of a quiet burial. He was laid to rest that morning. At his home, mourners honoured him with applause, ululations and the senj and damam drums of Bushehr.