Protests have erupted across Iran as various social and professional groups rally against worsening economic conditions, government mismanagement, and systematic oppression. Demonstrations have taken place in multiple cities, with participants voicing grievances ranging from unpaid wages to environmental concerns and demolitions of residential homes.
On February 20, in Lavan, Hormozgan Province (southern Iran), contract workers in the oil and gas industry resumed their protests as authorities continued to ignore their demands for wage policy reforms and other essential labor rights. These workers play a crucial role in Iran’s economy, yet they face job insecurity, low wages, and harsh working conditions. Their continued protests highlight ongoing dissatisfaction with the government’s economic policies.
In Urmia, West Azerbaijan Province (northwest Iran), counselor engineers gathered in front of the governorate to protest against deteriorating working conditions. Engineers, who play a key role in infrastructure and development, have long complained about declining wages, lack of job security, and insufficient government support. The protest signals growing unrest among Iran’s professional workforce.
February 20—Urmia, northwest Iran
Counselor engineers rally in front of the governorate, protesting poor working conditions.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/nNvuWeioJN— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) February 20, 2025
In Zabol, Sistan and Baluchestan Province (southeast Iran), residents staged a rally against recurring power outages that have severely impacted their daily lives and businesses. Persistent electricity disruptions have led to financial losses and hardships for small businesses and households, exacerbating the already fragile economic situation in one of Iran’s most impoverished regions.
In Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province (southwest Iran), pharmacists protested outside the Social Security Organization’s medical documentation office, denouncing repeated delays in insurance payments to pharmacies. They warned that if the government does not resolve this issue, access to essential medicines could be jeopardized, endangering the health of countless patients. The delay in insurance reimbursements reflects deeper economic instability and inefficiencies in Iran’s healthcare system.
On February 19, in Mashhad, Bardaskan, and Khaf, Khorasan Razavi Province (northeastern Iran), contract workers in Iran’s telecommunications sector held demonstrations demanding fair employment rights and equal pay. These protests underscore the growing discontent among workers facing job insecurity and economic hardship in one of Iran’s key industries.
February 20—Zabol, southeast Iran
People of Zabol rally to protest constant power outages which has caused a lot of damage to their livelihoods.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/JE1JrKOCew— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) February 20, 2025
On February 18, in Tehran, Tehran Province (central Iran), employees of Tehran’s International Exhibition Center staged a protest against poor working conditions and wage discrepancies. Despite the strategic importance of the exhibition center in Iran’s trade and commerce sector, employees have faced financial struggles, further fueling worker dissatisfaction.
On the same day in Arak, Markazi Province (central Iran), residents took to the streets to protest severe air pollution caused by the continued burning of heavy fuel oil (mazut) at local power plants. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Burning mazut is a crime, our silence is betrayal” and “Clean air is our right.” Environmental degradation and government inaction have led to frequent demonstrations in Arak, one of Iran’s most polluted cities.
In Borujerd, Lorestan Province (Western Iran), workers from the textile industry held a demonstration against unfair labor policies and delayed wages. Textile workers, a crucial segment of Iran’s manufacturing sector, have struggled with factory closures and unpaid salaries, leading to repeated protests over the past year.
February 20—Lavan, southern Iran
Contract workers of the oil and gas industry resume protests as authorities continue to ignore their demands for changes to the wage determination policies and other basic needs.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/tZDKVFbbhx— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) February 20, 2025
Meanwhile, in Sirjan, Kerman Province (south-central Iran), authorities carried out another wave of home demolitions on February 19, sparking outrage among residents. Footage from the scene shows distraught citizens condemning the destruction of their homes, calling the city officials “butchers” and “merciless.” The demolitions have further fueled public anger against the government’s harsh policies toward low-income communities.
In Zahedan, Sistan and Baluchestan Province (southeast Iran), security forces raided the village of Lucho in the Manzel Ab area on February 18 at 3:00 AM, demolishing at least 18 homes belonging to the Baluchi community. The violent attack left many families homeless, further fueling ethnic tensions in a region that has long suffered from government neglect and systemic discrimination.
In Bandar Deylam, Bushehr Province (Southern Iran), Iranian security forces shot and killed a local trader, Meysam Bouali, near the village of Ameri while he was transporting household goods. Bouali, a father of two, was struck in the head by a direct shot. His tragic death highlights the dangers faced by informal traders, known as “Shouti,” who are often targeted by authorities under the pretext of cracking down on smuggling. His funeral was held in his hometown, Ameri, where locals expressed their outrage over his killing.
Iran’s ongoing economic crisis has been a major factor fueling the recent wave of protests. Inflation has driven up the cost of basic necessities, with Iranians now resorting to installment plans to buy food items like potatoes and onions. The government’s failure to control inflation has led to widespread hardship, particularly among low- and middle-income families. An estimated 900,000 Iranian children between the ages of 6 and 18 are out of school, mainly due to economic hardships, child labor, and lack of access to education in remote areas. The decline in school enrollment is a stark indicator of deepening poverty. Repeated protests by workers, engineers, pharmacists, and teachers show the deteriorating conditions in various professions. Many workers, especially those in state-affiliated sectors, suffer from unpaid wages and job insecurity.