Reporting by PMOI/MEK
Iran, October 7, 2020—People from all walks of life across Iran are continuing to hold protest rallies as the ruling regime continues to grip both domestic and international dilemmas.
Railway workers in Lorestan province, western Iran, who had called for a strike from Monday, October 5, did not go to work and forced company officials to pay a portion of their wages.
Bakeries closing in the city of Tabriz, northwest Iran, due to lack of flour—
The ongoing protests come against the backdrop of deteriorating economic conditions. This week the price of bread in the city of Tabriz, northwest Iran, has soared by 30 to 50 percent. This increase in the price of bread caused people’s protest. Also, many local bakeries were closed due to the lack of flour and authorities failing to provide this dire necessity.
On Tuesday, in the city of Urmia, northwest Iran, many of people were seen standing in line since 6 am, and still they could not buy bread.
Depression in Iran
Economic conditions causing social harms in Iran
The declining economic conditions are taking their toll on the society, officials admit. For many people in Iran, the lack of " sanity" is an issue repeated in many official reports and is increasing with each passing year.
Two years ago, the regime's Health Minister said depression has doubled among the Iranian people over the past 25 years.
Poverty, unemployment, discrimination and suppressing political freedoms are have major impacts in the rise of depression among the Iranian people.
A Monday report published in the state-run Mostaghel daily acknowledged that the situation has only gotten worse. “We are perhaps one of the most depressed nations in the world these days,” said an expert linked to the regime,” according to the report.
“Our meals are getting smaller and smaller… Who is responsible for ruining the people’s lives and destroying their souls?” the piece reads. “Everyone is frustrated, and angry people are waiting for clashes and tensions to vent their outrage.
“When insecurity becomes institutionalized in the society, it actually and potentially disrupts the people’s socio-political, social and economic lives. If insecure thoughts in the society stem from an institution that has the facilities, opportunities, and forces to theorize and apply violence and cause insecurity in the society, then the situation will be much worse.”
This has been ongoing dilemma with a history of depression running deep in Iran’s society.
“Depression is more common among women for a variety of reasons, including the country’s physical and social structure. Twenty-three percent of the population suffers from anxiety and 18 percent from psychosomatic disorders. In general, social harms are increasing in our society,” said Dr. Mohammad Ebrahim Maddahi, head of the House of Psychologist, Counselors and Supportive Occupations, in an interview with regime’s official ILNA news agency on September 26, 2019.
A Gallup poll conducted by a survey of citizens in 140 different countries shows that Iran was one of the ten saddest countries in the world in 2018.
On the other hand, remarks made by senior officials indicate that the regime is afraid of growing dissent in the country and is preparing to increase repressive measures under different pretexts.
“At yesterday's meeting of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, Ebrahim Raisi (head of the regime’s judiciary) emphasized that the State Security Forces (SSF) need to deal decisively with those who want to disrupt the country’s security and instill fear in people’s hearts. The SSF must be firm against thugs, thieves, and gangs, and not allow these people to make the streets and neighborhoods unsafe for women and children,” according to a report published in the Hemayat daily.
