Groups of people in the cities of Tehran, Shahr-e Rey, Andimeshk, Behbahan, Qom, Minoo Island, and Susangerd took to the streets on Saturday night, May 28, in mourning ceremonies and anti-regime protests following the May 23 collapse of the 10-story Metropol tower in the city of Abadan, southwest Iran. State media are reporting 29 dead, 37 dead, and dozens still feared to be under the rubble.
People in these cities were holding their rallies in solidarity with the people of Abadan. Reports from Abadan indicate authorities were heavily disrupting internet access. Security forces also forced stores to close, arresting their owners and transferring them to unknown locations. Despite intense measures by regime authorities locals in the capital Tehran held a vigil for the people of Abadan and held rallies where people began chanting “Death to the dictator!” referring to regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
May 28 – Shahr-e Rey Tehran, #Iran
Protesters chanting: "Death to the dictator!" referring to regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Voice says the regime's plainclothes agents are in the crowd trying to identify and intimidate the protesters.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/hav4iGCC8c— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 28, 2022
People were also chanting: “Khamenei is a murderer, and his rule is invalid!”
In Andimeshk, demonstrators resisted security forces dispatched to quell the protests. Since the incident, instead of conducting relief efforts, the regime has dispatched security forces to different cities to prevent and quell protests.
Thousands of people took to the streets in several cities of Iran on Friday night, May 27, in solidarity with the people of Abadan in southwest Iran, holding demonstrations and chanting anti-regime slogans. According to videos posted online from these demonstrations, the cities of Bushehr, Mahshahr, Shahin Shahr, Ahvaz, Omidiyeh, and Abadan were scenes of these anti-regime demonstrations.
May 28 – Andimeshk, southwest #Iran
People in the streets holding anti-regime rallies and chanting: "Death to the dictator!" referring to regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/oVdFsTBIM8— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 28, 2022
Reports also indicated intense scenes in other cities of Khuzestan province, southwest Iran, including Izeh, where regime authorities dispatched a large number of security units to the streets to prevent people from holding mourning ceremonies and demonstrations.
Regime authorities have been busy dispatching security forces and anti-riot units from Ahvaz and other cities to Abadan, according to social media reports. Activists continue to report internet disruptions in cities witnessing protests and authorities are also using drones to control the marching protesters from above. Videos posted online indicate state security forces in different cities attacking the peaceful demonstrators.
May 28 – Behbahan, southwest #Iran
Locals are in the streets rallying and mourning in solidarity with the people of #Abadan who saw at least 28 people die in the May 23 collapsing of the city's 10-story Metropol tower.pic.twitter.com/09C1C3UbsS— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 28, 2022
On Thursday night the cities of Khorramshahr, Abadan, Bandar Abbas, and others were scenes of people launching similar gatherings and protest rallies. People in those demonstrations were seen chanting slogans such as:
“Mullahs must get lost!”
“I will kill those who killed my brother!”
“[Khamenei!] The city is under rubble!” referring to the 10-story Metropol tower in downtown that came crumbling down on Monday, May 23. Official figures indicate at least 24 dead, 48 injured, and dozens still feared to be trapped under the rubble.
May 28 – Susangerd, southwest #Iran
Locals are in the streets rallying and mourning in solidarity with the people of #Abadan who saw at least 28 people die in the May 23 collapsing of the city's 10-story Metropol tower.pic.twitter.com/mZKagBGYof— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 28, 2022
The widespread protests began with the Metropol tower collapse and quickly evolved into targeting the regime in its entirety, especially senior officials including Khamenei and regime President Ebrahim Raisi.
The authorities disrupted internet access in many cities to prevent the spread of reports regarding these protests and in a prelude to crackdown measures. Reports circulating on social media platforms indicated the regime’s security forces using anti-riot pellet guns against protesters in Shahin Shahr of Isfahan province.
On Wednesday night, May 25, a massive crowd of locals in Abadan, southwest Iran, took to the streets in anti-regime protests triggered by the collapse of the city’s Metropol tower on Monday, May 23. Angry protesters were chanting slogans against the regime, local officials, and the corrupt contractor responsible for the faulty construction project that led to the tower crumbling down, leaving at least 19 people killed, 37 injured, and dozens still feared missing. State media is reporting 34 of those injured have been dispatched and are recovering in their homes now.
Wednesday night saw protesters chanting slogans specifically targeting senior regime and local Abadan and Khuzestan province officials for their destructive policies and corruption that led to the disaster, and recent incompetence in providing necessary aid during the rescue effort.
Public distrust in the regime’s claims escalated further following remarks made by the representative of Khuzestan province in the Supreme Provincial Council that the former mayor of Abadan, who oversaw the inauguration of the Metropol tower, now has a post in the Investment Organization of Abadan Municipality.
May 23 – Abadan, southwest #Iran
Authorities have dispatched anti-riot units to downtown Abadan following the 10-story Metropol building collapse. Officials are obviously concerned about anti-riot protests. pic.twitter.com/GSILG786Kg— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 23, 2022
