May 13, 2025, saw a continuation of the growing wave of public protests across various provinces, reflecting deep structural crises and accumulated public anger. Frequent electricity and water cuts have disrupted daily life, endangered livelihoods, and pushed people from different social sectors to take to the streets in protest.
A group of farmers in Shiraz, southern Iran, gathered outside the governor’s office to protest repeated power outages, which have severely affected irrigation systems. One farmer stated, “Without electricity, irrigation stops completely. That means months of hard work are lost.”
Workers at the Aluminum Factory in Arak, central Iran, staged a protest over continued electricity cuts. More than 4,000 employees are affected. “Each blackout means production stops and our future becomes more unstable,” said one worker.
May 13—Arak, central Iran
Workers at the Iranian Aluminium Company (IRALCO) in Arak protested frequent power outages, which threaten the job security of over 4,000 employees at this major industrial site.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/GTV9ZyMi5d— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 13, 2025
Parts of Kermanshah, western Iran, entered the third day without access to drinking and sanitary water. Residents voiced anger at the lack of response, saying: “Heat and thirst — a deadly combination we are forced to endure.”
In Sarakhs, northeast Iran, villagers blocked a main road in protest of repeated deadly traffic accidents caused by a poorly maintained route. Residents stated: “Years of broken promises led us to act on our own to draw attention.”
In Rasht, northern Iran, bakers and small producers in Gilan protested in front of the governor’s office, demanding an end to the scheduled blackouts. One protester said: “Every day, electricity is cut at the same hour. Production halts, workers are left in limbo, and the government only knows how to impose taxes.”
In Ahvaz, southwest Iran, retirees from the oil sector staged a protest demanding fair pensions, despite extreme heat exceeding 40°C and a lack of electricity or cooling.
May 13—Ahvaz, southwest Iran
Protest by retired oil industry workers, demanding better living conditions and respect for their rights.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/0cJx6GEaCM— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 13, 2025
Even state-affiliated lawmakers are now warning of growing public unrest over the escalating electricity crisis. In a recent parliamentary session, MP Jabar Kouchakinejad admitted that “people are extremely agitated” by power outages lasting up to five hours, demanding accountability from the Energy Minister and even suggesting presidential intervention if the ministry is incapable of resolving the issue. MP Ahmad Fatemi also echoed the alarm, stating that the worsening blackouts are “seriously disturbing the public” across all sectors—citizens, farmers, and industrial workers alike. He warned that without urgent intervention, the situation could trigger widespread “social disturbances,” with serious consequences for public mental health, emotional stability, and overall societal security.
From water shortages and power cuts to crumbling infrastructure and rising poverty, protests across Iran signal a collective scream from a nation abandoned by its rulers. “Wherever you look, there’s bankruptcy – economy, environment, society. Everything is falling apart,” said one producer. The regime’s only response is silence, suppression, and distraction, while people are left with darkness, thirst, and despair.