Iran: Police chief in Isfahan voices concerns of popular protests

Reporting by PMOI/MEK

Iran, October 9, 2020—Concerned about the continuation and spread of popular protests across the country, Mohammad Reza Mirheidari, commander of the regime's state security force in Isfahan province, central Iran, resorted to threats. “If someone seeks to create sedition in the country’s political spectrum, if someone seeks to disrupt the economy and make people's lives difficult, if in regards to our security, someone wants to commit theft or make trouble, and if someone wants to insult the values of our revolution, all the armed forces are fully prepared to face them,” he said, according to a report published by the state-run Javan Online website on October 6.

Officials voicing these concerns while there’s growing frustration and dissent across the country over the regime’s handling of the economic situation. And while the regime is trying to portray the latest uptick as countering against social harms, the reality is that officials are really afraid of popular protests stemming from the regime’s own competency.

Line to purchase bread in Iran [File Photo]

For the last few days, long lines in the city of Urmia, northwest Iran, in front of bakeries have created another problem for the people even in buying bread.

Bakers are saying there’s a shortage of flour.

“Rumors of rising bread prices are circulating among the people,” according to a Telegram channel associated to the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) News Agency posting a report on October 8.

A group of workers of the Damash mineral water company in Gilan province, north of Iran, held a rally on Thursday, October 8, protesting their job status remaining in limbo and their poor living conditions.

According to a protesting worker, in addition to not paying their wages for three months, the company is resorting to financial excuses to avoid responding to their demands.

In the meantime, the workers have been left in limbo, the production line has halted and their salaries remain unpaid.

Protests in Iran [File Photo]

On Thursday, October 8, municipal and Iron and Steel factory workers in the city of Lowshan, northern Iran, rallied and protested their delayed paychecks. These workers have not been paid for several months and their protests have continued for many days.

Around 80 individuals are working in the Lowshan municipality complex with 15 to 25 years experience, and their wages have been delayed since March.

“Municipality officials have not paid the workers' social security premiums for about 15 to 16 months,” the protesting workers said.

Workers at the Lowshan Iron and Steel Plant also rallied protesting their limbo job status and demand the reopening of their factory and returning to work.

The factory has been closed since May 2016 under the pretext of financial problems and all its workers have been laid off.