Iran witnessed a dramatic surge of protests, strikes, and confrontations across the country in the past week, as various social groups — from retirees and workers to farmers and street vendors — expressed their growing anger over economic hardship, government corruption, and systematic repression. These nationwide protests highlight a deeper crisis brewing within Iranian society ahead of International Workers’ Day.
On April 27, retirees of the Social Security Organization rallied in Shush, Ahvaz, and Kermanshah, chanting, “From Khuzestan to Gilan, shame on these managers” and “The Supreme Labor Council supports the rich,” demanding higher pensions and basic services. Steel and mining retirees staged coordinated protests in Tehran, Isfahan, and Kerman, decrying delayed payments, unfair policies, and deteriorating living standards, with slogans like “Colossal theft, public misery” and “Only in the streets will we win our rights.” In Yazd province, truck drivers in Behabad protested the 20-year lease of the Chah-Gaz mine to outside companies, condemning the move as a threat to local employment.
On April 26, workers at the Kahnuj titanium mine in Kerman Province protested the dismissal of over 70 indigenous employees, demanding job reinstatement and local hiring prioritization. In Tehran, defrauded customers of the regime-linked Farda Motors held a large rally outside the company headquarters over the non-delivery of prepaid vehicles, denouncing systemic fraud and corruption.
April 27—Shush, southwest Iran
Retirees of the Social Security Organization hold protest rally, reiterating their demands for higher pensions and basic services.
"From Khuzestan to Gilan, shame on these managers," protesters chant.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/n2a42WFLXh— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) April 27, 2025
On April 25, farmers from Garmsar and Aradan in Semnan Province blocked highways to protest the government’s refusal to release water from the Namrud Dam, warning of impending crop destruction. In Bakhtegan, villagers in Dehmord staged protests against mining operations threatening their environment and health. Lorestan Province witnessed angry confrontations as local residents clashed with regime security forces over the demolition of their crops.
On April 24, protesters in Ilam Province‘s Malekshahi decried the diversion of water resources to other regions. Workers at Alborz Steel Company in Abhar, Zanjan Province, launched strikes over labor exploitation. Contractual drivers of the gas company in Lorestan staged walkouts demanding permanent employment. Boat owners in Bandar Genaveh, Bushehr province, protested harsh new economic restrictions that threaten their livelihoods. Independent truck drivers in Kermanshah rallied against excessive tolls and commission fees. In Shiraz and Kermanshah, violent crackdowns against small vendors provoked strong public backlash, with chants of “Dishonorable! Dishonorable!” echoing against regime forces.
April 27—Ahvaz, southwest Iran
Retirees of the Social Security Organization resume protests as the regime ignores their demands for higher pensions and basic services.
"The Supreme Labor Council supports the rich," protesters chant#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/TbkRD09qkX— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) April 27, 2025
On April 23, farmers in the Chah-Hashem plain of Delgan, Sistan and Baluchestan province, initiated a mass strike against the regime’s failure to provide fair water distribution, halting agricultural shipments. Depositors defrauded by the Unique Finance company in Tehran protested in front of the judiciary, while Farhangian University-trained teachers rallied against broken promises regarding employment rights.
On April 22, teachers recruited through Farhangian University gathered in Tehran, emphasizing the regime’s failure to fulfill legal obligations toward over 20,000 teachers and accusing the Minister of Education of dereliction of duty.
On April 21, farmers in the Chah-Hashem plain of Delgan escalated their strike actions, blocking transportation and demanding immediate government intervention amid worsening economic conditions.
PMOI Resistance Units in Zahedan mark anniversary of Dr. Kazem Rajavi’s assassination https://t.co/ewdTbdoaqT
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) April 26, 2025
Throughout these protests, regime authorities have responded with negligence, crackdowns, evictions, and intimidation tactics. However, public anger has only deepened. Farmers, retirees, workers, teachers, and small business owners across Iran continue to expose the regime’s systemic failures, corruption, and mismanagement, refusing to remain silent. The authorities’ occasional promises of reform are increasingly seen by protesters as empty rhetoric aimed at defusing discontent without enacting meaningful change.
With May 1st approaching, the momentum of the protests underscores the breadth and depth of the Iranian people’s grievances — grievances that no longer remain isolated but are converging into a nationwide movement against injustice, repression, and economic collapse.