On March 2, 2025, Iran witnessed another wave of protests as retirees, pensioners, and hospital staff staged demonstrations in multiple cities, demanding higher pensions, better wages, and improved working conditions. These protests reflect the growing discontent over rising inflation, economic mismanagement, and the government’s failure to address the basic needs of its citizens.
Retirees affiliated with the Social Security Organization took to the streets in several cities, including Tehran, Ahvaz, Shush, Isfahan, and Kermanshah. The demonstrators protested inadequate pensions, skyrocketing living costs, and government corruption. In Ahvaz, pensioners chanted, “They plundered Iran and destroyed our lives,” highlighting their frustration with the regime’s economic policies. Protesters in Shush, southern Iran, raised their voices against state officials, chanting, “The enemy is right here, they lie that it’s America!”
In Tehran, the nation’s capital, Social Security retirees continued their protests, demanding fair wages and access to essential services. Demonstrators called for unity, chanting, “Military, civil, and Social Security pensioners—unite, unite!” Similar rallies were held in Isfahan, central Iran, where retired workers from the steel and mining industries protested against declining pensions and deteriorating healthcare services.
March 2—Isfahan, central Iran
Retirees of the steel and mining industry resume rallies to protest low pensions and lack of access to basic services for decent living conditions.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/4Mw4y839bN— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 2, 2025
Meanwhile, in Kermanshah, western Iran, retirees condemned the government’s failure to implement long-promised salary adjustments, chanting, “Parliament and the government—both are lying to the people!” Another common slogan among protesters nationwide was, “Half-salaries mean a silent death!”
In Ahvaz, southern Iran, nurses and medical staff from Arya Hospital staged another demonstration, demanding better working conditions and fair wages. Despite ongoing protests, authorities have yet to respond to their calls for improved pay and reduced workloads. The healthcare sector in Iran has been under severe strain due to mismanagement, low wages, and a lack of government investment, further exacerbating the crisis.
These protests come amid an unprecedented rise in living costs. The price of lamb meat has soared to one million rials per kilogram, a shocking increase that has further strained household budgets. According to the state-run Etemad newspaper, the cost of basic necessities for workers has reached 23.4 million tomans per month, far exceeding their salaries.
March 2—Shush, southwest Iran
Pensioners and retirees of the Social Security Organization resume protest rallies, demanding higher pensions, protesting inflation and high prices and other problems.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/En24B4ty2E— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 2, 2025
Government statistics continue to downplay the severity of inflation, but independent reports indicate that the real cost of living has drastically outpaced wage growth. As a result, more Iranians are being pushed below the poverty line.
The financial crisis has also hit Iran’s universities. The state-affiliated Farhikhtegan newspaper reported that universities are facing a 2,000-billion-toman budget deficit for student meals, leaving many students struggling with food insecurity. The shortfall translates to 487,000 toman per student per month, highlighting the government’s failure to fund even the most basic services in the education sector.
More footage of the protest rally by nurses and staff at Arya Hospital in Ahvaz, demanding higher wages and other basic needs.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/5qJtGpuPro
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 2, 2025
Despite the growing unrest, the Iranian regime continues to suppress dissent rather than address the root causes of economic collapse. Officials remain silent on protest demands while diverting national resources to fund foreign militant groups and maintain their grip on power.
With inflation surging, wages stagnant, and essential services collapsing, the regime faces an explosive social situation. The rising frequency and intensity of protests indicate that the regime’s traditional tactics of suppression and deception may no longer be enough to contain public outrage.