One of the Lorry’s terminals in Iran who have joined the national strike against high prices and regime’s repressive measures.

In scenes that are becoming all too familiar, the truck drivers strike has entered its second week in Iran. As the strike has spread, the regime has become more determined to end it.

220 towns and cities across Iran have now been affected by the strike. Truck drivers across the country have put down their keys in protest over low wages, high repair costs, and the lack of sympathy from the regime in an industry that is becoming economically unfeasible.

A Looming Threat

As the strike has spread and the Iranian regime feels the strain in its logistics sector, the leadership have attempted intimidate the protestors into resuming their work.

Through state-run media outlets, the regime has issued threats of execution to the striking truck drivers. It has also arrested more than 15 strikers in an attempt to curb the spread of the strike.

Despite the threat of life-threatening repercussions, the determined and courageous drivers have continued to strike. The protestors and the Iranian public have taken the threats for what they are; the rumblings of a regime in crisis, rapidly losing grip on power.

The Support of the Iranian Resistance

The Iranian opposition movement has lined up to pledge its support to the striking drivers. The President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran and leader of the People’s Mujahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK), Maryam Rajavi, took to Twitter to send her message of support.

Ms. Rajavi, who is living in Albania in exile with other members of the MEK, urged the youth of Iran to stand with the striking drivers, in a message that was shared and liked by over 1,000 Twitter users.

It read, “I call on Iran’s youth to support the drivers who are on strike.” Maryam Rajavi went on to call on the international community to take measures to stop the regime inflicting violence on those protesting.

“I urge human rights authorities to take action to secure the release of those arrested. When [a] regime threatens strikers with death, it must be isolated by the international community”, she wrote.

The message comes after the leader of the clerical regime, President Hassan Rouhani made a recent visit to New York to attend the United Nations, General Assembly. While he was there, Iranian-American protestors gathered in a nearby square to protest his presence.

The Iranian regime is employing increasingly violent responses to civil unrest across the country. As Khamenei and Rouhani attempt to prop up their regime, the Iranian public is being held, hostage. Human rights abuses are widespread, and executions are becoming increasingly frequent.

The Iranian public needs the support of the international community to throw off their shackles and realize their dream of a free, democratic Iran. The international community must heed Maryam Rajavi’s message and stand behind the truck drivers of Iran as they challenge the brutality and aggression of the regime.

Staff Writer