Ahead of the anniversary of Iran’s 2022 nationwide uprising, which began after the murder of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini at the hands of the morality police, the regime had taken great pains to prevent any form of protest from taking place.
Some of these measures included an uptick in executions, mass arrest of dissidents and families of murdered protesters, and the deployment of large contingencies of security forces in cities. Many cities had come under undeclared martial law.
However, despite the regime’s efforts, the people marked the anniversary of their uprising with protests in many cities. On September 15, the people of Zahedan held a large protest rally after Friday prayers, where they chanted slogans against regime leader Ali Khamenei and the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC). On the eve of September 16, nightly protests were held in several cities, including Tehran and Mashhad, where people chanted, “Death to the dictator!” and “Death to Khamenei!”
September 15—Zahedan, southeast #Iran
Protesters chanting, "This government is invalid, the IRGC are the criminals!"#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/6Le7aIDHXx— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 15, 2023
On September 16, the anniversary of the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, the regime continued to ratchet up its security measures, especially in Saqqez, Mahsa’s hometown, where security forces surrounded her parents’ home and blocked paths that led to the cemetery where she is interred.
However, by the afternoon, protests erupted in several cities. In Kermanshah, the brave youth chanted “Death to the dictator!” and “Death to Khamenei!” in Nobahar Boulevard. Security forces opened fire, but the protesters stood their ground and continued their rally for hours.
Similar protests were reported in other cities, including Arak, Rasht, Lahijan, Hamedan, Mashhad, and Tehran. In many locations, security forces brutally attacked protesters. But protesters continued to chant anti-regime slogans and call for regime change.
Mashhad, northeast #Iran
Security forces attack peaceful assembly in Ahmad Abad, fearing anti-regime protests. Security forces use firearms to disperse the crowd.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/tVnq3cuZf0— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 16, 2023
While the regime went on a propaganda campaign to claim that nothing had happened on the anniversary of the uprisings, its own media admitted to the truth. According to the official IRNA news agency, security forces arrested dozens of people in different locations in Tehran on September 16. Other news outlets reported of the arrest of hundreds of people in Tehran, Karaj, Marvdasht, Marivan, Sanandaj, Divandarreh, and the cities of Western Azarbaijan province.
On Sunday, the regime continued security measures in many cities, dispatching security forces in public places and sensitive areas to prevent protests. The families of arrested protesters in Tehran gathered in front of a police station to demand clarification for the situation of their loved ones. Instead of answering them, the regime dispatched security forces to suppress them. But the families remained late into the night and demanded answers from authorities.
September 17—Tehran, #Iran
Security forces attack families of arrested protesters who have gathered in front of police headquarters to demand the release of their loved ones.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/vrXATRwgoz— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 17, 2023
However, despite the regime’s repressive measures, the people continued their protests in several cities on September 17. The protests were especially intense in Hamedan, where a large group of people gathered to mark the anniversary of the uprising with anti-regime slogans, including “I will kill those who killed my brother!”
The regime responded by sending security forces to quell the protests. Videos from the scene showed security forces opening fire on the protesters. One video shows security forces surrounding and beating a young girl.
September 17—Hamedan, western #Iran
Security forces opened fire on the protest rally of people who had gathered to commemorate the anniversary of the 2022 nationwide uprising.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/lDsyUd95ov— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 17, 2023
Protests continued late into the night. In Tehran, people held protest rallies in different districts, including Chitgar, Sa’adat Abad, and Shahr-e Ziba, where protesters chanted slogans such as “Death to Khamenei!” and “Death to the dictator!” Protests were also held in the Mehrshahr district of Karaj, where protesters chanted “Death to the dictator!”
According to reports, the regime was on full alert in Greater Tehran, and at least 23,000 IRGC and Basij forces and 21,000 State Security Forces were present. According to some reports, in some areas of Tehran, security forces would not even tolerate a congregation of three people.
September 17—Tehran, #Iran
Nightly protests in Shahr-e Ziba. Protesters chanting, "Down with Khamenei!"#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/TkEmeejfZN— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 17, 2023
The people’s brave resistance is a testament to the regime’s failure. As one retired IRGC officer wrote on a Telegram channel: “What I saw with my own eyes in the streets of Tehran today, I would not be exaggerating to say that if a foreign state had occupied Tehran and Iran, there wouldn’t be so many security forces in the streets to convince the people that the country has been occupied and resistance is futile.”
The same officer also wrote that while the regime was trying to create an environment of fear, he saw “brave girls walking in groups, some with headscarves and some without, some with their mothers, some with their fathers, and others with their friends. Their spirits were so high, they weren’t bothered. I was shaking from fear but they were laughing loudly in front of the security forces.”