Latest update – 5:30 pm CET
Iran’s nationwide uprising is marking its 124th day on Tuesday following a day of unrest and protests sparked by the regime’s inability and incompetence in providing cooking and heating gas for the nation. While Iran sits on the world’s second-largest natural gas and fourth-largest crude oil reserves, the Iranian people are suffering from severe cooking/heating gas shortages and are unable to even procure fuel for their various types of vehicles.
With reports arriving from cities across the country, people are voicing their hatred of regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, his regime in its entirety, and especially the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and paramilitary Basij units.
Protests in Iran have to this day expanded to at least 282 cities. Over 750 people have been killed and more than 30,000 are arrested by the regime’s forces, according to sources of the Iranian opposition People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). The names of 637 killed protesters have been published by the PMOI/MEK.
Locals in the capital’s Narmak district were seen taking to the streets and continuing the nationwide protests against the mullahs’ regime on Tuesday evening, marking the 124th night of the uprising.
They were chanting: “Death to the dictator!” and “Death to Khamenei!”
January 17 – Tehran, #Iran
Locals in the capital's Narmak district continuing the nationwide protests against the regime on the 124th night of the uprising.
"Death to the dictator!" they were chanting.#IranRevolution2023#مرگ_بر_ستمگر_چه_شاه_باشه_چه_رهبر pic.twitter.com/Rb4a1oPMm8— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) January 17, 2023
On Monday morning, people in the city of Torbat-e-Jam in Razavi Khorasan Province, northeast Iran, were rallying outside the local governor’s office protesting the continued gas shortage and the fact that their families are freezing in the winter cold. People in this city, like many others across the country, have also been in long lines to purchase kerosene during the gas shortage crisis that has continued for nearly a week now.
People were also seen gathering outside a local Red Crescent branch seeking electric and kerosene heaters. There were also reports of regime authorities dispatching numerous security units into the streets to prevent any possible anti-regime protests as anger among locals is escalating. The atmosphere remains tense, according to local activists.
After nightfall protesters grew in numbers outside the governor’s office and the regime’s Red Crescent branch. The local protesters began chanting anti-regime slogans, including “Death to Khamenei!” Authorities responded by dispatching more security units to the scene and even opening fire on the protesters. Some reports indicate that at one point the protesters were able to take control of the Red Crescent branch, parallel to setting up roadblocks in a number of the city streets.
Iranian opposition coalition NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi hailed the brave people of Torbat-e-Jam and Taybad while condemning the mullahs’ regime for not only refusing to provide for the people’s basic necessities but also imposing heavy crackdown for those demanding what should be provided by any state.
“The angry people of Torbat-e Jam and Taybad attacked the Governor’s Office and other government centers to protest the lack of gas and heating resources,” the NCRI President-elect emphasized. “27 of Iran’s provinces are experiencing sub-zero temperatures, even -20 degrees C. Yet the corrupt regime does not care to provide minimum heating facilities for people. The only solution is Iran revolution to overthrow the mullahs and establish a free Iran and people’s sovereignty,” Madam Rajavi underscored.
The angry people of Torbat-e Jam and Taybad attacked the Governor’s Office and other government centers to protest lack of gas and heating resources. #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/WWXAbIYJA3
— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) January 16, 2023
On Tuesday morning, official workers of the Aghajari oil and gas company held a protest rallying demanding better pay based on the regime’s own laws, an end to additional taxes on their paychecks, an increase in pay and retirement pensions, and improved recreational services and hygiene standards.
A similar protest was held by official workers of the Cheshme Khosh oil and gas company. Activists in other cities are also reporting official employees of the country’s oil and gas sites, and refineries are protesting for similar demands. At least 11 such protest rallies have been reported as of the time of this report’s publication, including workers of the Sarkhas oil and gas sites in Abadan, southwest Iran, going on strike today.
January 17 – #Iran
Official workers of the Aghajari and Cheshme Khosh oil & gas companies held rallies demanding better pay based on the regime's own laws, ending additional taxes on their paychecks, pay raises, improved recreational facilities & hygiene standards.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/MBbo75oLRo— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) January 17, 2023
In Tehran, the country’s capital, locals gathered on Tuesday to honor the memory of Mohsen Shekari, a young man arrested for his involvement in the recent Iranian revolution protests, saw authorities dispatch numerous security units to the scene to prevent and if necessary quell any possible anti-regime protests.
January 17 – Tehran, #Iran
Locals honoring the 40th day of Mohsen Shekari's murder by regime security forces saw authorities dispatch many security units to the site to prevent anti-regime protests.#IranRevolution2023#مرگ_بر_ستمگر_چه_شاه_باشه_چه_رهبر pic.twitter.com/UW9lFKjOir— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) January 17, 2023
In Isfahan, local farmers began protesting on Tuesday regarding the regime’s corrupt policies and demanding answers to their dilemmas that have been raised with officials for years and yet left unanswered and in limbo. They were seen marching and chanting:
“Death to this deceptive government!”
“Raisi, you liar! What happened to the Zayandehrud River?!”
January 17 – Isfahan, central #Iran
Local farmers protesting the regime's policies and demanding answers to their long-raised issues.
"Death to this deceptive government!"
"Raisi, you liar! What happened to the Zayandehrud River?!"#IranRevolution2023pic.twitter.com/a4OYJWCVC8— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) January 17, 2023
In Shush of Khuzestan Province in southwest Iran, retirees and pensioners of the regime’s Social Security Organization gathered on Monday and were protesting low pensions and poor economic conditions. Regime officials refrain from addressing the pensioners’ demands. The protesters complain that their meager pensions are not nearly enough to cover their most basic expenses and are often delayed for several months.
January 16 – Shush, southwest #Iran
Retirees and pensioners of the regime's Social Security Organization protesting low pensions and poor economic conditions.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/phwftCKbfw— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) January 16, 2023
In the city of Sanandaj, the capital of Kurdistan Province, locals gathered for a ceremony to honor the 40th day of Houman Abdullahi’s murder by the regime’s oppressive security forces. The crowd was seen chanting anti-regime slogans, including:
“Death to Khamenei!”
“Death to the dictator!”
“No to monarchy! No to [mullahs’ regime]! Democracy and quality!”
In Tehran, family members of death row inmates rallied on Monday outside the regime’s judiciary building protesting the death sentences and demanding answers from regime officials. This is the second such rally held recently as family members of various inmates traveled from across the country to hold a gathering on January 14 in the country’s capital where children were seen holding placards reading: “Don’t execute my dad!”
The protests in Iran began following the death of Mahsa Amini. Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, a 22-year-old woman from the city of Saqqez in Kurdistan Province, western Iran, who traveled to Tehran with her family, was arrested on Tuesday, September 13, at the entry of Haqqani Highway by the regime’s so-called “Guidance Patrol” and transferred to the “Moral Security” agency.
She was brutally beaten by the morality police and died of her wounds in a Tehran hospital on September 16. The event triggered protests that quickly spread across Iran and rekindled the people’s desire to overthrow the regime.
