Protests and strikes persisted across Iran on December 30, with various groups demanding better pay, pensions, and working conditions. The unrest highlights growing dissatisfaction with the regime’s failure to address economic and social grievances. The ongoing protests across multiple sectors reflect widespread frustration with the regime’s economic policies and systemic corruption.
Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI) retirees in provinces including Ilam, Sanandaj, Kermanshah, and Rasht have held dozens of rallies this year alone, calling for fair pensions, better healthcare, and repayment of overdue benefits. Many attribute the mismanagement to entities like the Setad Ejraiye Farman-e Imam (EIKO) and the Cooperation Foundation of the Revolutionary Guards, which control large shares of the TCI.
The national currency has plummeted to record lows, with the U.S. dollar trading at over 82,000 rials. Rising inflation continues to erode purchasing power, fueling anger among workers, retirees, and merchants.
Rasht, Gilan Province (Northern Iran): Retirees of the TCI gathered in front of the company’s headquarters, demanding higher pensions and better access to basic services as outlined in existing laws.
Sanandaj, Kurdistan Province (Western Iran): Recently retired teachers rallied in front of the provincial governorate, protesting unpaid arrears and low pensions. Simultaneously, TCI retirees continued their protests, chanting: “We will not rest until we get our rights!”
Birjand, South Khorasan Province (Northeast Iran): Retired teachers assembled in front of the provincial education department, echoing demands for unpaid pensions and fair compensation.
December 30—Tehran, Iran
Defrauded customers of the state-backed Azvico (Azarbaijan Car Company) hold protest rally in front of the courthouse where the company's dossier is put on trial.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/WLbuUaIba3— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) December 30, 2024
Ilam, Ilam Province (Western Iran): Dismissed workers of Arghavan Gostar Petrochemical Company resumed protests in front of the provincial governorate. The workers demanded policies ensuring employment opportunities for local residents. Separately, TCI retirees resumed their weekly protests, seeking higher pensions and fundamental rights.
Khorramshahr, Khuzestan Province (Southwest Iran): Workers of the Iran Ofogh company marked their sixth consecutive day of strikes at the Yadavarn oil field. Protesters criticized authorities for ignoring their demands for improved pay and working conditions.
Zanjan, Zanjan Province (Northwest Iran): Retired teachers and educators protested in front of the provincial governorate, calling for higher pensions and access to essential services.
Tehran, Iran’s capital: Defrauded customers of the state-backed Azvico (Azerbaijan Car Company) staged a rally outside the courthouse, where the company’s trial is ongoing. Protesters demanded justice and compensation for their financial losses.
December 30—Rasht, northern Iran
Retirees of the Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI) hold protest rally in front of the TCI headquarters, demanding higher pensions and other basic needs based on the regime's own laws.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/JRyaEj4wTn— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) December 30, 2024
Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province (Northwest Iran): TCI retirees held a rally demanding higher pensions and the fulfillment of basic needs, as regime officials continued to disregard their grievances.
Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province (Northeast Iran): Merchants at Atlas Bazaar went on strike to protest skyrocketing inflation, high prices, and the rapid devaluation of the national currency.
Rigan, Kerman Province: A fuel porter was critically injured when security forces opened fire on his vehicle, underscoring the perilous and oppressive conditions faced by marginalized groups such as fuel porters and cross-border couriers. This incident has further fueled the anger and resentment of the already outraged and impoverished Baluchi population against the regime.
Baneh, Kurdistan Province: A Kurdish freight carrier (kolbar) succumbed to extreme cold and frostbite near the border. The tragedy underscores the life-threatening conditions kulbars endure in their quest for survival.
December 30—Khorramshahr, southwest Iran
Sixth day of strikes by workers of Iran Ofogh company in the Yadavarn oil field, protesting regime authorities ignoring their demands for better pay and working conditions.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/4fsk8VlQuU— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) December 30, 2024
Chabahar, Sistan and Baluchestan Province: Security forces violently dismantled street vendors’ stalls, destroying their limited means of livelihood. This crackdown comes as marginalized communities struggle to survive amidst escalating economic pressures.
Talesh, Gilan Province: Residents of Anbaran protested against the environmental destruction caused by mining companies. Activists decried the irreversible damage to local ecosystems, agricultural lands, and traditional livelihoods.
Iran’s protests, strikes, and clashes with security forces are symptomatic of deep-seated economic and political grievances. As the regime continues to dismiss demands for reform, the unrest underscores a society increasingly unwilling to tolerate the systemic failures and oppression that define daily life under the current administration.