February 16, 2025 – Protests have intensified across Iran as various groups, including students, healthcare workers, retirees, and laborers, voice their grievances over economic mismanagement, government repression, and deteriorating living conditions. Demonstrations erupted in multiple cities, reflecting widespread discontent with the ruling establishment.
Tehran (Capital Province) saw large protests at Tehran University following the killing of student Amir Mohammad Khaleqi near the university dormitory. Students chanted, “If we don’t unite, we will be killed one by one,” and “The student is awake, and despises tyranny.” The protests, now in their third day, faced a heavy security presence, with university guards and plainclothes officers attempting to suppress demonstrations. Reports indicate that Basij student groups tried to hijack the protests, but independent student activists resisted. Students at Tarbiat Modares University have also called for further protests on Monday.
Healthcare workers at Milad Hospital in Tehran also staged protests, chanting “Without nurses, the system collapses!” and “Where did our fees go? Into whose pockets?” The protest was triggered by salary reductions, leading to further outrage among medical professionals. Hospital security has reportedly threatened protestors with dismissal.
February 16—Ahvaz, southwest Iran
Retirees of the steel industry hold protest rally in front of the provincial office of the Steel Retirement Fund, demanding higher pensions and better living conditions. #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/XdEO2j5P00— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) February 16, 2025
University students across Iran continued demonstrations against the government’s failure to provide safety and accountability. Students at the University of Art in Tehran condemned the killing of Amir Mohammad Khaleqi and called for further demonstrations, stating, “We are also at risk. We have warned about insecurity and threats, but no action was taken.” In a strong rebuke of state authorities, students posted banners reading, “The blood that is spilled will not be forgotten.”
Meanwhile, farm insurance workers in Tehran gathered in front of the Administrative and Employment Organization, protesting against job insecurity and lack of benefits. Their chant, “We are insurance experts, yet we have no insurance ourselves!” underscored the irony of their situation.
In Shush, southern Iran, retirees of the Social Security Organization gathered to protest against poverty, inflation, and insufficient wages. Chanting “An incompetent government, a useless parliament, who should we complain to?” and “The bankrupt government has hit rock bottom,” they demanded urgent changes.
February 16—Tehran, Iran
Students of Tarbiat Modares University hold protest rally in solidarity with students of Tehran University, protsting the murder of a student by security forces.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/Nm3XBsKf35— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) February 16, 2025
Isfahan, central Iran, witnessed a demonstration by steel and mining retirees marching through Neshat Street. Protesters denounced broken promises with chants of “Your promises were all lies,” and “Our enemy is right here, they lie that it’s America.” The rally underscored widespread frustration with government mismanagement and economic hardship.
In Ahvaz, southern Iran, Social Security retirees marched in front of the governor’s office, chanting, “Our pain is your pain, people join us!” and “So-called justice, what a disgrace!” expressing their anger over economic hardships and government neglect.
Mashhad, northeastern Iran, saw nurses and healthcare workers at Imam Reza Hospital protesting poor working conditions and unpaid wages. Chanting “[Hospital director] Hayakhan, resign!” they highlighted grievances that have persisted despite multiple previous demonstrations.
Karaj, central Iran, and Ekbatan neighborhood of Tehran saw widespread nighttime protests with residents chanting “Death to Khamenei!” “Death to the dictator!” and “From Dehdasht to Tehran, my life for Iran!” Reports indicate that protesters set fires in the streets, defying government-imposed security measures.
February 16—Tehran, Iran
Literacy Movement educators rally in front of the education ministry, reiterating their demands to be promoted to official teachers.
"Employment is our basic right," protesters chant#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/YPf34qhYzs— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) February 16, 2025
In Hormozgan Province, southern Iran, oil workers of the Continental Shelf Oil Company staged demonstrations, demanding fair wages, better job conditions, and transparency in pension fund allocations. Their primary grievances included wage disparities and concerns over the merging of pension funds, which they claim would leave them vulnerable to financial instability.
Economic instability remains a dominant issue fueling these protests. State-affiliated economist Hossein Raghfar warned that the currency crisis, driven by elite corruption, is spiraling out of control, saying, “The state must choose between its own survival or serving the interests of mafia groups.” He predicted that the U.S. dollar could surpass 110,000 tomans, intensifying inflation and increasing economic suffering for ordinary Iranians.
As the government struggles to address the mounting crisis, more protests are expected, with students, labor groups, and professionals uniting in their demands for change. The ongoing demonstrations indicate deepening frustration with both economic policies and political repression, leaving the Iranian regime in an increasingly precarious position.