A surge of protests swept across Iran last week, with thousands of citizens from diverse sectors taking to the streets to voice their anger over the deteriorating economic conditions, rampant corruption, and the regime’s ineptitude in addressing their basic needs. From pensioners and truck drivers to bakers and medical staff, the collective cry for justice and a decent livelihood underscores the deep-seated economic despair gripping the nation, directly attributable to the ruling establishment’s policies of plunder and mismanagement.
The past week saw Iranians, who have long suffered under the yoke of tyranny and the plundering of their nation’s wealth by the ruling kleptocracy, once again turn the streets into arenas of their daily struggle, steadfastly demanding their rightful dues.
Pensioners lead the charge against regime’s injustice
Retired workers, a segment of society hit particularly hard by hyperinflation and the regime’s failure to provide adequate social security, were at the forefront of the protests in numerous cities. Their slogans directly targeted the regime’s hypocrisy and corruption.
May 11—Isfahan, central Iran
Retirees of the steel and mining industry resume weekly protest rallies to reiterate demands for higher pensions and basic needs. Protesters slam officials for their hypocrisy and inattention to their needs.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/cZNVYbNW1d— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 11, 2025
In Isfahan, retired steel and mine workers marched, chanting, “Hossein Hossein is their slogan, lies and theft are their work,” a clear denunciation of the regime’s attempts to mask its corruption with religious pretenses. They carried placards demanding their rights.
Tehran witnessed retirees gathering on Sunday, May 11, in front of the regime’s Labor and Social Security Organization. Their powerful slogans, “We won’t rest until we get our rights” and “Pensioner is awake, despises promises,” echoed their frustration. They held placards, one of which starkly stated: “From mine to port, place of worker’s murder.”
May 11—Kermanshah, western Iran
Retirees of the Social Security Organization hold protest rally, reiterating their demands for higher pensions and basic services.
Protesters chant, "Retiree, don't suffer, demand your rights,"#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/r4b17LV4g6— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 11, 2025
Kermanshah also saw a large turnout of pensioners on the same day in front of the Social Security building. Their chants included “Oh Majlis, Oh government, enough betrayal,” “Government’s imbalance, plundering the nation’s pocket,” and a grim warning, “With country’s power cuts, we’re going back to the Stone Age.” They also demanded the release of imprisoned workers, teachers, and protesters.
Similar protests by retirees demanding their rights took place in Shush, where they gathered before the regime’s governorate building, with handwritten notes and the recurring slogan, “From mine to port, workers are killed,” referring to the disasters at Bandar Abbas port and mines in different parts of the country.
May 11—Ahvaz, southwest Iran
Retirees of the Social Security Organization hold protest rally, reiterating their demands for higher pensions and basic services.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/0s9Eqr2P4o— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 11, 2025
In Ahvaz, retirees marched, poignantly asking, “Iran full of income, what happened to you?” and carried signs proclaiming, “Solidarity, the union of workers and teachers.” These scenes were replicated in Tabriz, Ilam, Abadan, and other cities.
Drivers and transport workers strike against economic hardship
The transportation sector also witnessed significant protest actions. On Sunday, May 11, and Monday, May 12, dump truck drivers in Rostamabad, Gilan province, continued their strike for the second and third consecutive days, protesting low fares and severe living conditions by gathering in front of a gas station.
In Tehran, on Monday, a group of hardworking drivers of imported trucks protested in front of the regime’s Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Trade building against the non-clearance of their vehicles from customs. Their defiant chant, “Driver dies but doesn’t accept humiliation,” captured their resolve. Kashan also saw dump truck drivers strike on Wednesday, May 14, over issues with diesel fuel distribution.
More footage of the protest rally by truck drivers in Kashan.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/WlJBiMrxzy
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 14, 2025
Bakers face ruin as regime’s incompetence leads to power cuts
The regime’s mismanagement has extended to basic utilities, with frequent power outages devastating small businesses. Bakers in several cities protested the continuous electricity cuts that have ruined their prepared dough, wiping out their meager capital.
In Andimeshk, on Sunday, May 11, bakers gathered in front of the regime’s governorate building. One protester lamented, “We can no longer continue with this situation; the baker is losing his bread, and the people are losing the bread from their tables!” Similar protests by bakers highlighting their dire living and working conditions occurred in Arak and Rasht, in front of the respective provincial governorate buildings.
May 11—Andimeshk, western Iran
Bakers rally in front of the governorate to protest severe economic challenges faced by local businesses.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/oVrdURQCmK— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 11, 2025
Medical staff and other sectors join the chorus of dissent
Even healthcare workers, tirelessly serving the people, are not spared from the regime’s plunder. On Saturday, May 10, emergency medical staff in Gilan protested against payment injustices and poor working conditions, chanting, “Enough promises, our tables are empty.” Health sector employees at Tabriz University protested on Monday, May 12, against discriminatory work-hour reductions, while health center staff in Zanjan protested their living and working conditions on the same day.
May 10—Rasht, northern Iran
Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel hold protest rally, highlighting their grievances over pay inequalities and neglect of their living and working conditions.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/1lZ6MONFEW— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 10, 2025
The wave of economic protests also included applicants for a national housing project in Hamedan, left in limbo for five years without a single unit delivered. In Ahvaz, employees of the Water and Wastewater Company protested on Sunday, May 11, demanding three months of unpaid wages.
In Qazvin, registrants for the National Housing Movement protested on Wednesday, May 15, against undelivered homes and price hikes, chanting, “We are below the poverty line, fight so we fight,” and “Worker, shout out, scream for your right!”
May 14—Qazvin, northwest Iran
Protest rally by participants of the "National Housing Movement", expressing frustration with economic conditions by chanting "We are below the poverty line, and we will fight!"#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/twCrPPtveJ— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 14, 2025
These widespread protests, driven by profound economic hardship, paint a stark picture of a nation pushed to its limits by a corrupt and incompetent regime. The unified voices from various sectors demonstrate a growing, nationwide rejection of the status quo and a fervent demand for fundamental change and economic justice. The regime’s systematic plundering has left a trail of broken promises and empty tables, fueling the people’s determination to reclaim their rights and their country’s wealth.