Truck drivers in several cities of Iran are on strike due to fuel shortages and low fares. These protests have continued for several days, with drivers forming lines of parked trucks.
On Sunday, these protests continued in Shiraz. In addition to fuel shortages and fare rates, an increase in municipal transportation fines is also among the grievances of truck drivers.
May 5—Shiraz, southern #Iran
Truck drivers on strike, protesting fuel shortage and high expenses.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/DwxKKtdTSi— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 5, 2024
On Saturday as well, strikes took place in cities of Sistan and Baluchestan province, including Dashtyari and Chabahar. The reduction in diesel quotas for truck drivers and disruptions in transportation in Sistan and Baluchestan are among the main reasons for the truck drivers’ strike on Saturday. Truck drivers are refraining from loading cargo to express their protests.
Striking truck drivers in various parts of the country, including Tehran, Sistan and Baluchestan, Khorasan Razavi, Asaluyeh, Kerman, and Ilam are protesting the lack of allocated diesel fuel quotas, low fares, and lack of supervision and support from relevant organizations.
With the strike of these truck drivers, the transportation system in some areas has been disrupted, and some businesses and construction projects have been halted. Reports indicate that some trucks are unwilling to transport cargo from sand and gravel centers to construction sites due to insufficient fuel.
May 5—Shush, southwest #Iran
Retirees and pensioners of the Social Security Organization resume protest rallies to demand higher pensions and other basic needs.
"The bankrupt government is the enemy of retirees," protesters chant#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/RzbXBU019L— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 5, 2024
Retirees of the Social Security Organization also resumed their protest rallies on Sunday, with rallies reported in Tehran, Shush, and Kermanshah.
The protesters are reiterating their demands for higher pensions. According to the regime’s own laws, the government must adjust pensions according to the costs of living. But while the Iranian rial continues to depreciate and the costs of living continue to soar, the regime refrains from raising the pensions of retirees in different sectors. Meanwhile, the regime does not refrain from spending the assets of pension funds on its destructive projects, including its violent intervention in the region.
May 5—Tehran, #Iran
Retirees and pensioners of the Social Security Organization resume their protests rallies, demanding the regime to raise their pensions according to its own laws.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/jzIEz4A1EB— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 5, 2024
Also in their protests, the retirees called out the regime’s repressive policies. In Shush, the protesters were chanting, “Their slogan is hijab, their job is to steal and lie,” referring to the regime’s recent wave of repressive measure against women and girls who do not abide by its misogynistic hijab rules.
In Kermanshah, the protesters were calling for the release of activists who have been imprisoned for raising their voices for their rights.
“Imprisoned teachers must be released, imprisoned workers must be released,” the protesters were chanting.
May 5—Kermanshah, western #Iran
Retirees of the Social Security Organization hold protest rally, reiterating their demand for higher pensions and calling for the release of imprisoned teacher and labor activists.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/hgNgAFsLZU— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 5, 2024
Also holding protests were the merchants of bazar in several cities, including Tehran, Shiraz and Bandar Abbas.
These strikes are in protest to the government’s tax policies and the parliament’s efforts to impose higher taxes on gold sellers. Merchants are not willing to sell their assets at current price levels because they believe that the downward trend in exchange rates and gold prices would result in them incurring losses if they sell their assets.
It is said that these merchants refrained from work in protest against the amendment of two articles of the “Tax on Speculation and Securities Trading” bill in the Majlis.
According to this proposal, which has been under consideration in the parliament since last year, gold sellers must pay taxes to the government for gold assets over 150 grams.
May 5—Tabriz, northwest #Iran
Fruit sellers hold rally in front of the municipality, protesting discriminative policies and poor work and living conditions.
Banner reads: "Our problems will go away if there is less [government] embezzlement"#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/WUsQJnQE60— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 5, 2024
Also holding protests on Sunday were fruit sellers in Tabriz, northwest Iran, who are facing discrimination and suppression by security forces.
Reports in recent days indicate that security forces are harassing fruit sellers under different pretexts. On Sunday, the protesters held placards that read, “If there is one less [government] embezzlement case, our problems be solved,” referring to the astronomical embezzlement cases that happen regularly and involve government officials and regime-linked individuals.
