Iran: Repeated and widespread power outages and public protests with slogans such as “Death to Khamenei” and “Death to the dictator”;
Retirees protest: “Retiree, raise your voice, shout for your rights”; “The Imam’s Command Headquarters took over the Telecommunications, robbed us of our rights.”
On May 4 and 5, 2025, repeated and unplanned blackouts sparked protests in various cities, including Tehran, Pardis, Mehrshahr of Karaj, Shahr-e Rey, Baharestan, Soltanabad, Shahriar, and Abadan. In Tehran, in the Iron Market and the Melli University (Beheshti University), as well as in the city of Pardis, citizens took to the streets, chanting “Death to Khamenei” and “Death to the dictator.” In the women’s dormitory of the Melli University, on the evening of May 4, students chanted: “A student may die, but will never accept humiliation.” In Shahr-e Rey, Soltanabad, Shahriar, and Ardakan, merchants and citizens protested in front of the electricity company offices. In Shahr-e Rey and Ardakan, demonstrators blocked the streets.
On May 6, 2025, Fatemeh Mohajerani, spokesperson for Masoud Pezeshkian, admitted the regime’s inability to resolve the crisis, stating: “We deeply regret the power outages… but resolving this issue will take time.” The state-run Electricity Distribution Company called on citizens to “counter blackouts with maximum energy conservation.” Qashqavi, a member of the regime’s parliament, remarked: “Some areas of Tehran are exempt from blackouts, while people in other cities are being crushed under unbearable heat and the darkness of injustice.”
On May 6, 2025, the state-run newspaper Donya-e-Eqtesad reported: “Daily power outages cost the economy an average of 8 trillion tomans. To address the 20,000-megawatt electricity shortfall, a $10 billion investment is required. An additional $25 billion is needed to repair and expand the severely deteriorated power transmission network. According to data, the electricity crisis is deepening. Shockingly, under such conditions, the Seventh Development Plan still talks about an annual 8.5% growth in the industrial sector.”
Samadi, head of the Industry Commission of the regime’s Chamber of Commerce, stated: “In the past three years, investment in power generation, transmission, and distribution has been zero.”
Frequent and unannounced power outages in various cities have paralyzed daily life and sparked widespread public outrage.
Salute to the people of Tehran and surrounding areas—including Pardis, Robat Karim, Baharestan, Parand, Nasimshahr, and Golestan—who, during blackouts,…— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) May 5, 2025
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, praised the rising people of Tehran and other cities, saying: “Repeated and unannounced blackouts have paralyzed people’s lives. Through slogans like ‘Death to Khamenei’ and ‘Death to the dictator,’ the people have identified the root cause of all their suffering and misfortunes. The only path to freedom from oppression and injustice is an uprising and the overthrow of the clerical regime.”
Meanwhile, on May 6, 2025, oil industry workers gathered in front of the governor’s office in Gachsaran, demanding responses to their economic and employment grievances. Workers from the Lavan region of the Iranian Offshore Oil Company also protested against unjust and discriminatory policies.
Also today, bakers in Tehran, Kermanshah, Isfahan, and Ardakan took to the streets in protest. Their banner read: “Enough with the promises, our tables are empty.”
Between May 4 and May 6, 2025, telecommunications retirees held protests in Tehran and cities such as Ilam, Isfahan, Hamedan, Rasht, Tabriz, Zanjan, Bandar Abbas, Sanandaj, Shahr-e Kord, Ahvaz, Arak, and Kermanshah. Their slogans included: “Retiree, raise your voice, shout for your rights,” “The Imam’s Command Headquarters took over Telecommunications, robbed us of our rights,” and “Until we gain our rights, we will be here every Monday.”
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)
6 May 2025