A new wave of protests erupted across Iran on Monday, March 3, as retirees, contract workers, and industrial employees took to the streets in multiple cities, voicing their anger over economic hardship, unpaid wages, and government corruption. The demonstrations come amid an intensifying economic crisis, soaring inflation, and a sharp decline in purchasing power, as the Iranian currency plunged to 93,000 toman per US dollar, and the price of one gold coin surpassed 75.5 million toman.
Protests erupted in various cities, including Lamerd, Isfahan, Tabriz, Ilam, Bijar, Sirjan, Rasht, Ahvaz, Zanjan, and Shushtar. The demonstrators, mainly retirees from the Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI) and contract workers from the oil and steel sectors, called out the government’s failure to address their financial struggles and implement long-promised reforms.
In Lamerd, southern Iran, contract workers from the Parsian operational area of the oil sector rallied against salary cuts, increased taxes, and unpaid wages. The oil industry, a key pillar of Iran’s economy, has been severely affected by corruption and mismanagement, leading to mounting dissatisfaction among its workforce.
Telecommunication retirees held large demonstrations in Isfahan, Tabriz, Ilam, Bijar, and other cities, denouncing government-affiliated managers for misappropriating pension funds. Protesters in Bijar specifically called for the implementation of a 2010 law requiring pensions to be adjusted in accordance with inflation and the cost of living—legislation that remains unfulfilled after 14 years.
March 3—Lamerd, southern Iran
Contract workers of the oil sector in the Parsian operational area of Larmerd rally to protest salary cuts, tax increases and non-payment of claims and arrears.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/YBeznN80u9— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 3, 2025
Retirees in Isfahan chanted:
“Stop delaying—solve our problems now!”
“Only in the streets will we win our rights!”
“Retirees, shout out loud—demand your rights!”
In Rasht, northern Iran, demonstrators accused regime institutions of looting their pension funds, chanting:
“The Executive Headquarters stole our money!”
“The Imam’s Foundation looted our pensions!”
Retirees in Ahvaz, Zanjan, and Tabriz echoed similar sentiments, demanding that their stolen funds be returned and accusing both the government and the IRGC-affiliated economic institutions of systematic corruption. Protesters in Zanjan shouted:
“Neither the government nor the parliament care about the people!”
“We have no representative—only God will help us!”
More than 300 workers of Sirjan Steel Company in southern Iran rallied in front of the governorate, demanding wage increases to match skyrocketing inflation. The steel industry, another major contributor to Iran’s economy, has seen worsening conditions due to state-imposed salary caps and a lack of investment.
The protests coincide with Iran’s deepening economic crisis. As the Persian New Year (Nowruz) approaches, the rising cost of living has pushed millions further into poverty.
March 3—Tabriz, northwest Iran
Retirees of the Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI) resume rally to protest corrupt policies by regime-affiliated managers and demanding higher pensions and other basic needs.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/rD732qJQZT— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 3, 2025
Retailers across Iran report that businesses are shutting down en masse due to stagnant sales and unaffordable goods. Akbar Pazouki, head of the state-affiliated Home Appliance Union, warned of a 25% increase in home appliance prices, citing the government’s recent elimination of the NIMA exchange rate and the subsequent surge in import costs.
He added that inflation has affected all sectors, from dairy products to cleaning supplies, grains, rice, and sugar. Pazouki explained: “Some goods require 60–70% foreign currency resources for production, while others are produced mostly with local materials. Yet, the government’s policies have caused inflation across all sectors, worsening the situation for consumers.”
Monday’s protests are part of a broader trend of growing public dissent in Iran. Over the past two years, industrial workers, retirees, teachers, and nurses have increasingly taken to the streets as their financial hardships mount. The regime has responded with empty promises, crackdowns, and systematic arrests of labor activists, but the frequency of demonstrations indicates that social unrest is rapidly escalating.
The weekly protests of TCI retirees, in particular, have been ongoing for several months, fueled by issues such as stagnant pension benefits, unresolved arrears, lack of supplementary health insurance, and the government’s refusal to adjust wages to inflation.
March 3—Sirjan, southern Iran
More than 300 workers of the Sirjan Steel Company rally in front of the governorate to protest low wages.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/NTq1Vlq5Jp— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 3, 2025
In Shushtar, southern Iran, retirees from various sectors gathered outside the Social Security office, chanting: “We are retirees—we want our rights!”
A parallel protest was held in Kermanshah, western Iran, where demonstrators demanded that the government address their long-neglected labor rights.
The clerical dictatorship has failed to provide meaningful solutions to the worsening economic situation. Instead, the regime continues to prioritize military expansionism, support for proxy groups, and internal repression over addressing its citizens’ financial hardships.
With inflation out of control, wages stagnant, and the government refusing to adjust pensions or enforce labor protections, discontent is reaching new heights. The latest wave of protests is another warning that Iran’s economic and social crises are far from under control—and that the regime’s mismanagement is only fueling further unrest.
As the situation unfolds, the question remains: How long can the regime suppress these growing protests before facing another nationwide uprising?