On February 2, 2025, Iran witnessed a surge in protests across multiple cities as defrauded investors, retirees, landowners, and teachers rallied against government mismanagement, economic instability, and systematic repression. Demonstrations were held in Tehran, Isfahan, Kerman, Ahvaz, Shush, Rasht, and Qaemshahr, with protesters calling for justice, fair wages, and ending state corruption. Meanwhile, in Kurdistan, authorities escalated their crackdown on teachers, issuing harsh punitive measures against 47 activists.
Defrauded Investors and Landowners Demand Accountability
In Tehran, victims of King Money, a fraudulent financial institution tied to state-affiliated networks, staged a protest demanding the return of their lost investments. Protesters denounced the regime’s inaction, accusing officials of complicity in financial scams that have wiped out the life savings of thousands.
Simultaneously, landowners from the Khavaran district of Tabriz gathered outside the presidential office, condemning the government for failing to deliver on its promises to provide them with housing. These individuals had purchased land and homes through official state-backed projects, only to be met with endless delays and unfulfilled commitments.
February 2—Qaemshahr, northern
Iran Retirees of the steel industry resume weekly protest rallies in front of the offices of the Steel Retirement Fund in Mazandaran to reiterate their demands for higher pensions according to the rising costs of living.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/EEa6yORMVW— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) February 2, 2025
Retirees Protest Worsening Economic Conditions
In cities across the country, retirees from the steel, mining, and social security sectors staged coordinated demonstrations, demanding higher pensions and access to basic services.
- Kerman and Qaemshahr – Retirees from the steel industry protested low pensions, denouncing the government’s failure to adjust their payments in line with inflation.
- Shush, Rasht and Ahvaz – Retirees from the Social Security Organization took to the streets, chanting “We will not live in tyranny!” as they called for fair wages and better healthcare.
- Isfahan – Retirees from the steel and mines industry rallied under the slogan “They are abusing religion to destroy people’s lives!”, directly blaming the regime for using religious rhetoric to justify economic mismanagement.
Crackdown on Teachers in Kurdistan
In Kurdistan, the regime escalated its repression against teacher activists, issuing severe disciplinary actions against dozens of educators in response to their advocacy for better working conditions and educational reforms.
February 2—Tehran, Iran
Defrauded customers of state-backed financial institutions rally to demand justice and protest government inaction.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/jzja1IdYQd— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) February 2, 2025
According to local activists, the Department of Education handed down sentences that included:
- 27 teachers were stripped of their professional ranking and salary benefits
- 10 teachers were outright dismissed from their positions
- 6 teachers were suspended from public service
- 4 teachers were forced into early retirement
- 4 teachers were given official reprimands
- 4 teachers were subjected to salary cuts
- 2 teachers were exiled to remote locations
- 1 teacher was barred from holding managerial or leadership roles
These rulings come in the wake of protests following the 2022 uprising, in which teachers played a crucial role in advocating for social change. In a January 26 open letter, Kurdish educators condemned the regime’s ongoing persecution, highlighting over 700 instances of salary deductions and at least 47 cases of forced demotions, dismissals, and relocations.
February 2—Tehran, Iran
Landowners of the Khavaran district of Tabriz rally in front of the presidential office to protest the government not upholding its commitments to deliver homes to them.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/6UoCHF1kQ7— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) February 2, 2025
Kurdish Border Porter Shot Dead by Security Forces
Adding to public outrage, Iranian border forces fatally shot a Kurdish kulbar (freight carrier) at the Hanjiran crossing near Marivan. Kulbars, who transport goods across borders due to extreme poverty and lack of job opportunities, are frequently targeted by security forces.
According to human rights reports, in 2024 alone, at least 40 kulbars were killed and 222 injured, with the majority of fatalities caused by direct gunfire from border patrols. The brutal treatment of kulbars has long been a point of contention, with human rights organizations condemning the Iranian regime for systematically targeting these vulnerable workers.
Growing Unrest and Calls for Justice
The widespread protests on February 2 reflect mounting discontent among various sectors of Iranian society, from economic grievances to labor rights violations and state repression. With pensioners, workers, teachers, and marginalized communities all taking to the streets, the regime faces a growing challenge in suppressing dissent. The Iranian regime’s continued use of economic neglect, financial fraud, and state violence to silence opposition has only fueled further resistance.