Protests erupted across Iran on Sunday, November 24, with demonstrations reported in various cities demanding higher pensions, better living conditions, and an end to systemic corruption. Organized by retirees, pensioners, and workers from different sectors, the rallies underscored mounting frustration over the deteriorating economy and governance.
In Kashan, central Iran, shop owners took to the streets to protest power outages disrupting businesses and livelihoods.
In, Isfahan, central Iran, retirees from the steel industry gathered, demanding increased pensions and basic services. Their chants, “They use Islam as an excuse to ruin people’s lives,” echoed dissatisfaction with systemic corruption.
In Kermanshah, western Iran, pensioners of the Social Security Organization rallied for economic reforms, decrying “limitless taxes and disastrous services.” Furthermore, tragic reports emerged from Kermanshah where Parshang Qobad Zahir, a mother of one, died following injuries inflicted by regime forces during her work as a kulbar (cross-border porter). Her death, along with the arrests of her father and brother, has drawn sharp condemnation from locals and human rights organizations.
In Ahvaz, southwest Iran, protests were widespread, with retirees demanding better living standards under the slogans “Both the Majlis & government oppress the people.” Meanwhile, healthcare workers from Apadana Hospital protested against unpaid wages, drawing attention to the worsening conditions in public services.
In Shush, southwest Iran, retirees rallied, asserting their resolve with the chant, “We will only reclaim our rights in the streets.” Economic grievances dominated the discourse.
On November 23, security forces raided the Muradabad area of Chabahar at 3:30 a.m., demolishing homes of impoverished Baluch residents and leaving families homeless. This follows a similar incident on October 3 in Ramin village, where homes were also destroyed.
One resident lamented, “I took my children to school, and when I returned, my home was gone. We are innocent. Fear God.” Activists have condemned the actions as inhumane, highlighting systemic discrimination against the Baluch community, which remains among Iran’s most marginalized populations.
Shadegan, southwest Iran, assistant nurses protested unpaid merit wages and unfair pay structures.
Protests on November 21 showcased growing dissatisfaction nationwide, with demonstrations spanning multiple provinces. The protests underscore the worsening state of the country’s economy, governance, and human rights, from labor strikes to social unrest.
In Ilam, western Iran, dismissed workers from the Arghavan Petrochemical Company staged a continuous sit-in alongside their families. Their rallying cry, “As long as this tree exists, so does the snake,” symbolized the systemic corruption they believe is at the root of their hardships.
In Shahrekord, southwestern Iran, housing applicants protested unfulfilled promises and alleged mismanagement of funds tied to the National Housing Project. The provincial governor’s attempt to address the crowd was met with anger, with protesters declaring, “Beating the people is not the answer.”
In Bardsir, southeastern Iran, residents opposed water diversion from the Halilrud River. Protesters accused contractors of unauthorized operations, including drilling without environmental permits or consent from local landowners. Demonstrators expressed concern over the ecological and economic consequences of the project.
In Sowme’eh Sara, northern Iran, employees of the Apadana Company protested unpaid wages and the dismissal of workers. The company, a significant producer of cooking oil, has left its workforce in dire straits as inflation and economic instability worsen.
In Asaluyeh, southern Iran, workers from the Parsian Sepehr Refinery gathered to protest low wages, inadequate facilities, and the absence of fair labor contracts. Despite the protests, the company’s management has remained silent.
In Kish, southern Iran, over 120 workers from Kish Choob, a major wood processing company, demonstrated against the non-payment of salaries for three months and last year’s bonuses. Many of the workers, living far from their families, face severe financial hardship.
In Isfahan, central Iran, a dismissed contractor at the Esfahan Steel Company set himself on fire in a tragic act of protest over his dismissal. Self-immolation has become a heartbreaking symbol of despair under the regime’s oppressive policies and economic mismanagement.
In Golbahar, northeastern Iran, security forces shot and killed one man and injured two others, accusing them of theft. The excessive use of force has drawn widespread condemnation from rights organizations, which have criticized the regime’s “reckless use of firearms” against civilians.
Adding to the discontent, cash subsidies for over 51 million Iranians were delayed in November due to government insolvency. State media reported that the funds, critical for many struggling families, were unavailable because of a budget shortfall caused by declining oil revenues and widespread economic mismanagement.
These protests and tragic incidents illustrate the regime’s systemic failure to address the grievances of its citizens. The mounting unrest reflects not just economic discontent but a rejection of a state that prioritizes its survival over the well-being of its people. The resilience of the Iranian population in the face of widespread repression signals growing resistance to a regime increasingly incapable of governing.
Source: NCRI