On April 13, 2025, a new wave of protests erupted across multiple cities in Iran. Retirees, workers, students, and environmental activists took to the streets in various regions, voicing anger and frustration at the regime’s economic mismanagement, corruption, and disregard for basic rights. The protests reflected a growing sense of urgency among citizens who no longer trust empty promises and demand tangible change.
April 13—Isfahan, central Iran
Retirees of the steel industry resume weekly protest rallies to reiterate demands for higher pensions and basic needs.
Protesters chant, "The bankrupt government is the enemy of retirees."#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/fRvdKs2lXC— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) April 13, 2025
In Isfahan, retired steelworkers marched under the slogan ‘The bankrupt government is the enemy of retirees,’ protesting poor living conditions and unfulfilled promises. Demonstrators criticized the regime for spending lavishly on foreign ventures while ignoring the plight of its own retirees.
More footage of the protest rally by retirees of the Social Security Organization in Shush.
Protesters chant: "We will not live in tyranny," "Our rights come from the streets," and "Shout for your rights!"#Iran #IranProtestspic.twitter.com/YIj0K8X1GZ— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) April 13, 2025
In Shush, retirees from the Social Security Organization demonstrated, chanting slogans like ‘Only in the streets do we get our rights’ and ‘We don’t have hospitals!’ Their protest highlighted the deteriorating healthcare and living conditions under the regime’s neglect.
April 13—Kermanshah, western Iran
Pensioners of the Social Security Organization resume protest rallies as the government ignores their demands for higher pensions.
Protesters chant, "The enemy is here, they lie saying it’s America." #IranProtestspic.twitter.com/v31bNkKb7c— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) April 13, 2025
Retirees in Kermanshah protested low pensions and rising poverty. One elderly protester shouted, ‘We worked for 30 years, now we have to buy bread on credit?’ The protestors warned that continued indifference could lead to widespread unrest.
Retirees in Qaemshahr rallied against delayed pensions and economic hardship. Slogans like ‘There’s money for theft and embezzlement, but not for us!’ showed their frustration with the regime’s mismanagement and corruption.
April 13—Qaemshahr, northern Iran
Retirees of the steel industry resume weekly protest rallies in front of the offices of the Steel Retirement Fund in Mazandaran to reiterate their demands for higher pensions according to the rising costs of living.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/UkLqHz1XF0— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) April 13, 2025
In Lamerd, students protested repeated electricity cuts affecting their education. In the sweltering heat, they gathered outside the electricity office, declaring, ‘We want quality education, not blackouts and humiliation.’
Contract workers at the Oil and Gas Company in Gachsaran held a protest over unkept promises regarding job conditions and the elimination of middlemen companies. Workers pledged to continue their protests until their demands are met.
More footage of the protest rally by the workers of Gachsaran Oil and Gas Company.#Iran #IranProtestspic.twitter.com/8hyEwuO4r3
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) April 13, 2025
In Najafabad, locals formed a human chain to protest mountain destruction and quarry exploitation. Their slogans included ‘No to mountain destruction’ and ‘No to environmental abandonment,’ targeting corrupt networks looting public natural resources under state protection.
Retirees from the Social Security Organization in Ahvaz held a protest march against rampant inflation and deteriorating livelihoods. Chants included ‘Inflation and high prices are killing us’ and ‘Where is inflation control? Stop lying to the people!’
April 13—Ahvaz, southwest Iran
Retirees of the Social Security Organization protest low pensions and other problems with their livelihoods. #IranProtestspic.twitter.com/yT9zr5LpbD— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) April 13, 2025
These protests are symptomatic of a deepening economic crisis in Iran, driven by the regime’s foreign interventions, costly nuclear ambitions, and internal corruption. While public discontent grows, the regime continues to respond with repression instead of reform.
Experts, including some within the regime, warn that if this trajectory continues, major uprisings similar to those of 2019 and 2022 could soon erupt again. The Iranian people are reaching a breaking point, and their voices can no longer be silenced.