Protests have been sweeping across Iran as the country faces a deteriorating economic situation and growing repression, particularly against women and girls. Over the past two days, workers, retirees, farmers, and truck drivers have taken to the streets in cities across Iran to demand their rights and voice their discontent with the regime’s policies.
On April 26-28, truck drivers in several cities, including Tehran, Asaluyeh, and Babayi Expressway, went on strike to protest the significant reduction in their fuel rations. With the price of fuel continuing to rise due to the regime’s disastrous policies, the drivers are finding it harder to make ends meet. And the government reducing the allocation of subsidized fuel will only make things worse for them and have a ripple effect on the costs of living.
In Tehran’s Babayi Expressway, the protesting drivers held a large placard that read, “In the year of ‘production leap,’ we don’t have diesel fuel.” The slogan is a reference to comments by regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei who called the Persian calendar year 1403 (March 2024–March 2025) the year of “production leap.”
More footage of protests by truck drivers in Babayi Expressway (Tehran).#Iran #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/lKcy0wGBS5
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) April 27, 2024
On April 27, tomato farmers in Rudbar-e Jonubi, southeast Iran, rallied in front of the governorate to protest pricing rules that are negatively impacting their livelihoods. Some of the farmers dumped their crops in front of the government building in protest to the regime’s policies. Farmers are particularly affected by the growing costs of everything needed to tend to their crops.
April 27—Rudbar-e Jonubi, southeast #Iran
Tomato farmers rally in front of the governorate in protest to pricing rules that are negatively affecting their livelihoods.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/AHGb18e0pF— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) April 27, 2024
Workers of the Iranian Offshore Oil Company on Lavan Island also resumed protests, calling for changes to wage determination policies, management, and other basic needs. These protests have been ongoing for several months as workers face extremely difficult conditions and their needs are being ignored by regime authorities.
Customers of Iran Khodro, a state-backed carmaker, held a protest rally in Tehran, demanding the company deliver their Pejo Pars purchases and stop raising prices. These creditors have also been regularly holding protest rallies as state-backed vehicle manufacturers refrain from honoring their pledges to their customers.
April 27—Tehran, #Iran
Customers of Iran Khodro hold protest rally in front of the offices of the National Competition Council as the state-backed carmaker refrains from delivering their Pejo Pars purchases and has instead raised the prices.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/WfXAEqDiHl— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) April 27, 2024
In Shush, workers from Pars Paper continued rallying in front of the governorate on April 27-28, chanting slogans like “Shout for your rights workers!” and “Down with the oppressor, hail to the workers!” The workers are protesting dismissal of 100 of their coworkers and the lack of response to their demands for better work conditions and fair wages.
On Sunday, April 28, retirees of the Social Security Organization held their weekly protest rallies as the regime continues to ignore their demands for higher pensions. According to the regime’s own laws, the government must adjust the pensions of retirees according to the costs of living. But as prices continue to soar and costs of living rise, the pensions of retirees from different sectors remains the same, making it difficult for them to provide the minimums.
More footage of protests of retirees and pensioners of the Social Security Organization in Arak.
Protesters chant:
"Hijab is their slogan, stealing is their job"#Iran #IranProtestspic.twitter.com/OXCIFr3EX6— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) April 28, 2024
In Ahvaz, southwest Iran, retirees of the Social Security Organization held their weekly protest rally, chanting “Shame on you!” directed at the government. Retirees and pensioners also resumed protests in Shush, southwest Iran, and Arak, central Iran, demanding higher pensions and other basic needs. Protesters in Arak chanted slogans criticizing the regime’s focus on enforcing the hijab while neglecting the people’s problems, such as “Let go of the headscarf, tend to our problems!” and “Hijab is their slogan, stealing is their job.”
The protesters are making references to the recent repressive measures by the regime against women and girls who are not observing the regime’s misogynistic hijab rules. While the regime spends huge amounts of resources on these repressive measures, it is disregarding the basic needs of the people.
