In the past week, cities across Iran witnessed a renewed wave of uprisings and resilience as citizens from various walks of life took to the streets to protest against the ruling theocracy. From retirees demanding their pensions to environmental activists fighting for water rights, the chants echoed a unified message of defiance against the regime’s corruption, plunder, and oppression.
The demonstrations highlighted the deepening crisis of legitimacy for the mullahs’ regime, as protesters targeted the root causes of the nation’s poverty and environmental degradation.
Retirees reject both regime factions
On November 16, Isfahan became a focal point of dissent as retirees from the steel industry gathered in large numbers. In a significant display of political awareness, the protesters chanted slogans rejecting the regime in its entirety. By shouting, “Reformist, Principlist, you are the enemies of the retirees,” they underscored the failure of all internal factions of the regime to address the people’s needs. They further condemned the state’s indifference with the slogan, “Neither the parliament nor the government cares about the nation.”
Simultaneously, in Kermanshah, Social Security retirees rallied against the skyrocketing cost of living. Their slogans highlighted the stark contrast between the lives of ordinary citizens and the regime’s elite. Protesters chanted, “High prices, inflation, theft from the people’s pockets,” and “The officials’ children live in luxury, while retirees live in misery,” directly targeting the nepotism and corruption that plague the country’s economy.
November 17—Kermanshah, western Iran
Retirees of Telecommunications Company of Iran gathered to protest poor economic conditions and the corruption of the Executive Headquarters of Khomeini and IRGC Cooperative Foundation, denouncing years of stolen rights and neglect after a… pic.twitter.com/zEz8WoLoWq— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) November 17, 2025
In the northern city of Rasht, retirees expressed solidarity with other suppressed sectors of society. Their gathering featured powerful chants demanding the release of political prisoners, including workers and teachers who have been jailed for their activism. The slogan “Imprisoned worker, imprisoned teacher, imprisoned protester must be freed” resonated as a call for unity against the regime’s repressive apparatus.
In Shush, southwest Iran, retirees exposed the regime’s exploitation of religious sentiments to cover up corruption. They chanted, “Their slogan is ‘Hussein, Hussein,’ but their business is lies and theft,” and “Retiree, shout out, demand your rights.”
Similar gatherings were reported in Ahvaz, Tehran, Qazvin, Hamedan, Sanandaj, Marivan, Kerman, Bijar, Babol, and other cities, indicating a nationwide coordination and shared grievance among the retired community.
Environmental crisis sparks outrage in Yasuj
On November 18, thousands of residents in the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province gathered in front of the governor’s office in Yasuj to protest the construction of the illegal Khersan-3 and Mandegan dams. The protesters view these projects as environmentally destructive and a threat to their livelihoods.
November 18—Yasuj, southwest Iran
People of Kohgiluyeh & Boyer-Ahmad rallied outside the governor’s office, denouncing the illegal Khersan-3 and Mandegan dams and their severe environmental damage.
“Shame on officials,” protesters chant.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/sdHmqna09R— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) November 18, 2025
The atmosphere was charged with anger against the regime officials responsible for the water crisis. Demonstrators chanted, “We will fight, we will die, we will take Iran back,” signaling that their struggle is not just about water, but about reclaiming their country from a regime they view as an occupying force. Another slogan, “Our officials are a disgrace,” targeted the incompetence of the local and national administration.
On the same day, residents of Ben and Saman counties also gathered to protest the denial of their water rights, which has led to the destruction of their orchards and agriculture.
Victims of state-backed scams demand justice
The systematic corruption within the regime’s financial systems was another major driver of protests this week. On November 16, customers of Ramak Khodro, a car import company, held a rally to demand the return of their assets. These protesters have been waiting for over eight years for vehicles they paid for or the return of their money. They stated that hundreds of families are struggling with heavy debts and economic pressure while court rulings in their favor remain unenforced “on paper.”
November 19—Tehran, Iran
Victims of the Cryptoland exchange rallied outside the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office, demanding answers after three years with no clarity on their case or repayment of losses caused by the company's corrupt practices.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/BBO385fo3l— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) November 19, 2025
Additionally, on November 19, victims of the Cryptoland platform gathered to protest the plundering of their assets. Blaming the regime’s judiciary for complicity or inaction, they chanted, “Help from God and a victory is near, death to this deceitful judiciary!” and reiterated the slogan used by retirees: “Their slogan is ‘Hussein, Hussein,’ but their business is lies and theft!”
Meanwhile, workers and employees of the Iranian Offshore Oil Company in the Bahregan region staged a protest on the same day, citing dire living conditions and job insecurity, further highlighting the widespread labor unrest gripping the nation’s key industries.