On Monday, retirees from Iran’s telecom industry resumed public protests across several cities, adding to a growing wave of social unrest in the country.
Demonstrations were reported in numerous locations including Mashhad, Bandar Abbas, Bojnurd, Arak, Rasht, Ilam, and Ahvaz. In the northeastern city of Mashhad, former employees of the Razavi Khorasan province telecom company rallied, voicing strong criticisms of regime officials. “Resign you incompetent minister!” they demanded in unified chants.
Over the past few years, retirees throughout Iran have demonstrated against worsening living conditions brought about by government’s refusal to adjust pensions in line with inflation and currency depreciation. The Iranian rial’s plummeting value has resulted in a sharp increase in the price of essential goods, leaving pensioners struggling with the same stipends.
#IranProtests at a glance on Sunday, June 18, 2023 pic.twitter.com/u0YPXBTxqE
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) June 19, 2023
Demonstrations in Ahvaz saw telecom retirees demanding the implementation of the pension adjustment law. To symbolize their hardships, protesters laid an empty tablecloth on the ground, a stark reminder of the scarcity caused by the regime’s policies. “Enough with the tyranny, our tables are empty!” echoed the united voices of the protestors.
June 19 — Mashhad, Northeast #Iran
Retirees of the communications company of Razavi Khorasan province hold protest rally as regime's economic policies continue to push their lives into misery.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/Pm9QpioSU2— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) June 19, 2023
Simultaneously, in Tehran, merchants from Amin Hozoor market joined the dissent by going on strike, citing high taxes and economic downturns caused by the regime’s policies.
These protests unfold against a backdrop of widespread civil unrest across Iran. Despite increasingly oppressive measures, people from all walks of life continue to protest against the regime.
Alongside the peaceful demonstrations, defiant youths have begun retaliatory strikes against regime centers. In Kerman, southeast Iran, the regime’s judicial complex “22 Bahman” was targeted in response to the recent execution of four Baluch fuel porters.
June 19 — Ahvaz, Southwest #Iran
Retirees of the communications company resume their protest rally. They laid an empty tablecloth on the ground, symbolizing their poor living conditions.
"Enough with the tyranny, our tables are empty!"#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/4KTlpQQYre— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) June 19, 2023
Furthermore, thousands of creditors defrauded by regime-backed financial institutions have also joined the protests. Despite officials’ claims of pursuing justice, no concrete actions have been taken, prompting chants of “Release our funds” at the protests.
Protests have expanded to at least 282 cities since September, with the Iranian opposition group People’s Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK) reporting over 750 deaths and more than 30,000 arrests. Despite this, Iranians continue to protest, holding Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), and other oppressive forces responsible for their suffering. The resilience of the people remains steadfast, fueling an ongoing nationwide movement for change.
MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu