The “unpleasant thing,” of course, is another uprising, one that might topple the regime and bring freedom and democracy to Iran. The (PMOI / MEK Iran) is firmly in favor of such unpleasantness, and the Iranian people have expressed their support for a free and democratic Iran through their protests.

Iran’s spiraling economy and rising covid-19 death toll have deepened public resentment toward the regime, leading state-run media outlets to question when this widespread social unrest will boil over into another uprising. Over 186,900 people have died of the coronavirus in Iran, according to reports by the Iranian opposition, the  People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI / MEK Iran), and the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).

A Rebuke to Rouhani

In a December 15 press conference, regime President Hassan Rouhani responded to questions about rising prices and poverty by deflecting blame onto others. He claimed that he was not responsible for the suffering of the Iranian people. Instead, it was the fault of the hardliners in Parliament who refused to establish a Ministry of Trade and the United States for imposing international sanctions.

The state-run Aftab-e Yazd: “The society knows exactly where these high-prices originate from. It can present this subject better than any economic analyst.

The state-run Aftab-e Yazd flatly refuted this argument, writing, “It would have been better if Rouhani stayed silent and refused to answer this question.”

The paper continued: “The society knows exactly where these high-prices originate from. It can present this subject better than any economic analyst. Although sanctions are in their place, authorities’ mismanagement and incapability play a major role in this chaotic situation. So, giving the wrong address will not deceive people.”

The Iranian people have made it clear in past uprisings that the factions are both parts of the same broken system. Protesters in the 2017/2018 Uprisings and in the November 2019 Uprisings chanted “Reformist, hardliner, the game is over!” Rouhani’s attempts to blame hardliners are a failed attempt at a distraction.

Callback to the Election Boycott

On Tuesday, the state-run Arman daily referenced the February boycott of the Majlis (parliamentary) election, which was successfully organized by The  People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI / MEK Iran) and the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). Voter turnout was the lowest since the mullahs took power in 1979. Polling places across the country stood empty, and many people who did arrive at polling stations cast blank ballots in protest.

“The society is angry due to the current situation. The unprecedented low turnout in the parliamentary election was a sign of this anger,” wrote Arman.

Iranian people boycott the February boycott of the Majlis (parliamentary) election.

Covid-19 Inaction

Other media reported on the results of the regime’s failure to take action to control the spread of covid-19.

On Tuesday, Gholamreza Shariati, a member of the regime’s parliament, spoke about the moral impact of the regime’s failure to act to protect its citizens in an interview with the state-run ANA press. “When due to lack of planning and government’s disregard a lot of damage is inflicted on people, this kind of behavior is not just negligence, but the government’s disregard for people’s lives and property, and basic duties,” Shariati said.

The state-run Jahan-e Sanat daily expressed concern about the effect of covid-19 on the long-term health of the country’s economy. “Iran’s economy was not in a good situation before Covid-19. It has been suffering from acute pneumonia for many years, and its condition has worsened with the spread of covid-19,” the article read.

“People’s tables and pockets are becoming empty day by day. According to experts, the middle class is on the verge of extinction. Also, according to reports, the poverty line has reached 10 million tomans. Thus, more than half of the population is below the poverty line,” the article continued.

“The continuation of this process during the pandemic is not in anyone’s interest, as it may lead to protests and lower public participation. Rising prices have increased poverty, and in such circumstances, we have to wait for unpleasant things to happen in society,” Jahan-e Sanat added.

A man searching for leftovers inside a trash can, a very common scene in Iran today, due to the government’s corruption and spending the country’s income to fund terrorism, the development of Ballistic Missile programs, and domestic repression.

The “unpleasant thing,” of course, is another uprising, one that might topple the regime and bring freedom and democracy to Iran. The (PMOI / MEK Iran) is firmly in favor of such unpleasantness, and the Iranian people have expressed their support for a free and democratic Iran through their protests.

and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTube