Protests and strikes continued across Iran today as nurses, farmers, and villagers rallied in multiple cities and towns, demanding better working conditions, fair wages, and essential services. The widespread demonstrations reflect growing unrest and dissatisfaction with the Iranian regime’s handling of economic and social issues.
In Rasht, Tehran, and Tabriz, nurses rallied in front of key medical institutions, including the Gilan Medical Sciences University and the Health Ministry, to demand higher wages and improved working conditions. These protests are part of a nationwide movement that has seen healthcare workers across the country take to the streets. In Isfahan, protesters chanted, “Shout for your rights!” as they continued their strikes, while in Marivan, nurses at Fajr Hospital joined the movement despite repressive measures by the regime. In Ahvaz, nurses gathered in front of Jondi Shapur Medical Sciences University, and in Dehdasht and Kermanshah, similar rallies were held in front of local medical sciences universities, signaling a united front among healthcare professionals.
These protests have been ongoing for nearly two weeks, and the persistence of the nurses underscores the depth of their grievances. Despite the government’s efforts to suppress these demonstrations, the protests have only grown in scale, with state-run media admitting that the nursing sector is “on the brink of boiling over into a crisis.”
August 21—Tabriz, northwest Iran
Strikes and protest rally by nurses and medical specialists, demanding better working conditions, higher wages, and other basic needs.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/o1Ns6jJVDq— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 21, 2024
Meanwhile, in Kermanshah, wheat farmers took to the streets. Wheat farmers rallied in front of the provincial governorate to protest the government’s failure to pay for their delivered crops, a situation that has left many struggling to survive. This marks the second protest by wheat farmers in recent days, highlighting the ongoing neglect of their needs by the authorities. Simultaneously, residents of Kandoleh village protested water outages, demanding that the regime address their basic needs for clean and accessible water.
In Isfahan, frustrated by severe water shortages that have threatened their livelihoods, farmers continued their protest. The government’s inaction has only fueled their anger, leading to sustained demonstrations as the farmers seek immediate solutions to the water crisis.
August 21—Rasht, northern Iran
Nurses rally in front of the Gilan Medical Sciences University to resume protests for higher wages, better working conditions, and other basic needs.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/zuUrtiYuQF— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 21, 2024
Adding to the tension, authorities in Golbahar, Razavi Khorasan Province, have cracked down on businesses, shutting down 13 shops for failing to adhere to the regime’s strict dress code laws. This action is part of a broader campaign by the regime to enforce mandatory hijab, a policy largely aimed at stifling dissent, particularly among women.
Today’s protests are part of a broader wave of discontent sweeping across Iran, as citizens from various sectors increasingly demand not just reforms, but fundamental changes to the way their country is governed. The regime’s attempts to suppress these movements have only intensified the resolve of those protesting, signaling a growing crisis that the government has no enduring solution for.
August 21—Kermanshah, western Iran
Nurses rally in front of the Medical Sciences University to continue strikes and protests for higher wages and better working conditions. #IranProtestspic.twitter.com/8vTUybNSRo— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 21, 2024
August 21—Ahvaz, southwest Iran
Nurses rally in front of the Jondi Shapur Medical Sciences University to continue strikes and protests for higher wages and better working conditions.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/ecKnXic7eL— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 21, 2024