In the scorching heat of summer, Iranians across the country are taking to the streets to protest the clerical regime’s catastrophic mismanagement, which has deprived them of basic necessities like water and electricity. The destructive and plundering policies of the past four decades have pushed the nation to a breaking point, with citizens increasingly blaming the regime’s systemic corruption and looting of national wealth for their suffering.
Sabzevar protests escalate over lack of basic services
The historic city of Sabzevar became a focal point of public fury last week. On Monday and Tuesday, July 21 and 22, heroic residents held impassioned rallies and marches against the chronic water and power outages. They chanted defiant slogans, including, “We have no electricity, no water, the governor is asleep!,” and “Water, electricity, life, are our undeniable rights!”
More footage of protests in Sabzevar against power and water outages.
"We have neither power nor water, the governor is asleep," protesters chant.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/VO5bobNVr5— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 22, 2025
In response, the regime’s repressive police forces attacked the demonstrators, firing tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowd. However, they were met with fierce resistance from the people, who stood their ground and forced the police to retreat. Chants of “Our rights will only be achieved on the streets!” echoed through the city, signaling that the people’s demand for justice will not be silenced.
Water and electricity shortages reach critical levels nationwide
The crisis in Sabzevar reflects a broader national catastrophe. In Nasimshahr, a city southwest of Tehran with nearly one million residents, the regime’s response to days of severe water pressure drops was to send just two water tankers to serve the entire population. This has forced people in many cities to line up with jerrycans to receive drinking water.
July 21—Nasimshahr, northern Iran
Residents of the Vajeh Abad neighborhood protests a three-day complete water outage during the scorching heat of July. Authorities took no measure to provide alternative water sources.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/bhPH8YAYSM— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 21, 2025
Similarly, in Marvdasht, severe water shortages drove residents into the streets. Protesters shouted, “We have no water to drink,” highlighting the desperation that has pushed communities to their limits.
Retirees, drivers, and workers join nationwide protests
The unrest extended beyond utility shortages, as various social sectors continued their protests against the regime’s corruption and unjust policies.
On Sunday, July 20, Social Security retirees gathered in Rasht, chanting, “Imprisoned worker, imprisoned teacher, must be freed!” as they demanded their plundered rights. On the same day, retirees in Tehran protested in front of the Social Security Organization’s headquarters against their inadequate pensions and dire living conditions.
July 13—Rasht, northern Iran
Retirees from the Social Security Organization are demonstrating against severe economic hardships and low pensions.
Protesters chant "We won't live under oppression" and "We sacrifice our lives for freedom." #IranProtestspic.twitter.com/ZT1xloBaKx— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 13, 2025
On Monday, July 21, drivers protested in front of the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade in Tehran. Their vehicles, which they had already purchased, are stuck at the border due to the ministry’s corruption and inefficiency. They chanted slogans such as, “Drivers are vigilant, they do not accept humiliation!” and “The driver is awake, despises oppression and injustice!”. That same day, truck drivers in Zarand protested unfair fares and the inequitable distribution of cargo.
Also on Monday, workers at the Khorasan Steel company in Neyshabur held a rally to protest the influence of corrupt factions within the factory. Meanwhile, in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, a large number of merchants gathered to protest the exorbitant rents being charged in the Al-Mahdi arcades, further demonstrating the widespread economic discontent fueling the protests across the country.