Events of September 29th and 30th were a testament to this warning as “death to Khamenei” and “death to the dictator” reverberated across the province.

Days before the rejuvenated unrest in Sistan and Baluchestan Province on the anniversary of the Zahedan Bloody Friday, Javan Online, a media outlet linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), sounded an urgent warning about societal divergence from norms and an imminent uprising of the desperate population. Strikes paralyzed major cities, and revolutionary youths confronted security forces, marking their dissent.

On September 27, the IRGC-affiliated outlet expressed concern, “We are witnessing periods of accumulating anger. the intervals of this anger’s tendency towards emancipation have reduced.” This openly acknowledged the intensity and shortened frequency of public anger.

What’s alarming is this acknowledgment doesn’t just come from “moderate” voices or outliers from the regime, but from Khamenei’s main force, the IRGC. The IRGC insinuates that this mounting anger is like a ticking time bomb. The triggers? Socio-cultural restrictions, economic tribulations, and basic survival challenges.

State-run Ruydad 24 mirrored this sentiment, amplifying fears of an uprising. Citing sociologist Amanollah Qaraei Moghadam, they noted, “Hungry people will not stop until they gain their rights… livelihood problems shatter everything.”

A forewarning by Jomhouri-e Eslami daily on June 16 stated, “Beware of the day when the hungry masses rise against you.” Time and again, government officials have expressed their apprehension about the “hungry masses” uprising. Even erstwhile ardent interrogators now feign moderation, attributing economic woes as grave concerns.

Economist Vahid Shaqaqi Shahri on August 11 detailed the dire straits Iran finds itself in, “We are experiencing an unprecedented era of inflation… I see these challenges as a looming flood, currently at a distance, but approaching rapidly.”

The 2023 uprising is evidence that even a well-prepared state and its security cannot suppress a desperate populace. Sistan and Baluchestan stand as a testament that despite crumbling economic infrastructure and a lack of genuine governmental reforms, the spirit of the masses remains unbroken.

This episode further emphasizes that the priorities of the Khamenei regime are likely set in stone. External financial aid will hardly assist the regime in confronting its deep-seated issues.

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