In recent days, protests have erupted across Iran as retirees, workers, and professionals take to the streets to demand economic reforms and improvements to their living conditions. These demonstrations, spanning from southern oil regions to northern cities like Tehran, have become a nationwide movement highlighting grievances over low pensions, delayed housing projects, unpaid wages, and inadequate working conditions. The economic crisis in Iran, coupled with the government’s inability to address these issues, has fueled discontent across various sectors.
September 29
In Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province, Southwest Iran, retired government employees and telecommunications industry pensioners held protests, demanding higher pensions and better living conditions. The city has been a recurring hub for protests, reflecting widespread economic dissatisfaction in southwest Iran.
Retirees from the Social Security Organization gathered in Kermanshah, Kermanshah Province, Western Iran, calling for higher pensions and the release of political prisoners. The ongoing economic challenges in western Iran have driven many to take to the streets in recent months.
September 29—Kermanshah, western Iran
Retirees and pensioners of the Social Security Organization resume protest rallies to demand higher pensions and basic needs according to the regime's own laws. Protesters also call for release of political prisoners.pic.twitter.com/zq7GO2jMAT— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 29, 2024
In Arak, Markazi Province, Central Iran, residents protested delays in the delivery of homes from the Kuy-e Kowsar housing project. The housing crisis in central Iran has left many financially strained as they await the completion of long-promised homes.
Meanwhile, in Tehran, oil sector retirees rallied outside the Ministry of Oil, protesting low pensions and deteriorating living conditions. The capital continues to be a focal point for protests from various labor and retiree groups, each demanding economic relief.
Steel sector retirees in Isfahan, Isfahan Province, Central Iran, held protests demanding better pensions and government accountability for unmet promises. Isfahan’s industrial backbone has been weakened by economic mismanagement, driving increasing discontent among workers.
In Shush, Khuzestan Province, Southwest Iran, Social Security retirees rallied once again, reiterating demands for higher pensions. They also expressed solidarity with victims of the recent Tabas mine disaster, showing a strong sense of unity among different labor sectors.
September 29—Arak, central Iran
Customers of the state-backed Kuy-e Kowsar housing project rally to protest delays in the delivery of their homes.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/Vg79zD0fob— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 29, 2024
Creditors of the Maskan-e Melli housing company protested in Sabzevar, Razavi Khorasan Province, Northeast Iran, criticizing rising costs and unfulfilled housing projects. This protest highlights growing frustrations in northeast Iran over the country’s housing issues.
September 28
Retired government employees in Tehran gathered again, demanding pensions that align with legal standards. The capital has witnessed numerous protests as citizens from various sectors voice grievances over economic hardships.
In Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province, Northwest Iran, telecommunications workers continued their strike for a fifth day, demanding better wages and working conditions. Protests in northwest Iran have intensified as inflation and stagnant wages push more workers to action.
Drivers in Ardakan, Yazd Province, Central Iran, protested outside the governorate over unresolved economic grievances. The city in central Iran is part of a broader trend of labor unrest as workers struggle with rising living costs.
September 28—Tabriz, northwest Iran
Fifth day of protests by the employees of the Telecommunications Company of Iran (TCI), demanding higher wages and better working conditions.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/XsnUcSEgM3— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 28, 2024
September 27
On Siri Island, Hormozgan Province, Southern Iran, employees of the Iranian Offshore Oil Company resumed protests over wage policies and unsafe working conditions. The strategic location of the island for oil production has made these protests particularly significant for southern Iran’s labor landscape.
In Bushehr, Bushehr Province, Southern Iran, offshore oil workers also rallied, demanding fair wages and job security. As one of Iran’s primary energy hubs, the unrest in Bushehr is a critical development for the oil sector.
September 26
Nurses in Yazd, Yazd Province, Central Iran, protested at Yazd Medical Sciences University, demanding overdue wages and better working conditions. The protests highlighted the mounting pressures on healthcare workers in central Iran amid ongoing economic difficulties.
September 27—Siri Island, southern Iran
Employees of the Iranian Offshore Oil Company resume protests as authorities continue to ignore their demands for changes to the wage determination policies and other basic needs.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/gaZahdy79V— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 27, 2024
September 25
Literacy educators in Tehran, protested outside the parliament, demanding official recognition as teachers. The protest underscores the broader dissatisfaction among education workers in Iran’s capital.
Nurses at Yazd Medical Sciences University also began their protests, calling for reforms in labor policies and the fulfillment of the government’s promises to healthcare workers in central Iran.
The growing wave of protests reflects a deepening frustration among Iranians, who are struggling to make ends meet amid worsening economic conditions. With no resolution in sight and the government’s slow response to their demands, the frequency and intensity of these demonstrations are likely to increase. The broad participation of retirees, healthcare professionals, and workers across Iran underscores a nationwide demand for groundbreaking change to alleviate their financial and social burdens.
