February 17, 2025 – Iran is witnessing a growing wave of protests as various segments of society take to the streets, defying government repression to demand economic justice and accountability. From retirees and students to factory workers, demonstrators are voicing their anger over corruption, financial mismanagement, and worsening living conditions.
Retired telecommunications employees were at the forefront of today’s demonstrations, holding rallies across multiple cities to protest the looting of their pension funds. In Tehran, protesters chanted, “Our enemy is here; they lie and say it’s America!”—a direct rejection of the regime’s persistent efforts to blame external forces for the country’s economic crisis.
In Ahvaz, despite a heavy security presence, retirees marched to demand their stolen benefits. Similar demonstrations erupted in Isfahan, Kermanshah, Ilam, Tabriz, Bijar, Gilan, Sanandaj, and Zanjan, where protesters accused government institutions, including the Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order (EIKO) and the IRGC Cooperative Foundation, of embezzling pension funds.
In Rasht, retirees chanted, “We have only heard lies, we haven’t seen justice!”
February 17—Tehran, Iran
Workers of the passenger wagon repair unit of Novin Sanat Raja Company rally to protest poor living conditions.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/7Hs9Gn47J4— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) February 17, 2025
Beyond the retirees, students at Tehran University continued their protests over the murder of 19-year-old student Amir Mohammad Khaleqi. Marching through the Faculty of Literature, students condemned the regime’s failure to provide security while aggressively enforcing restrictive social laws, such as mandatory hijab policies. They chanted, “So many morality police, but not a single guard for our safety!” in response to security forces’ claims that protective measures were in place. Additionally, students directly challenged official claims, chanting, “You never placed a security kiosk there, why are you lying?”
February 17—Isfahan, central
Iran Retirees of Telecommunication Company of Iran resume weekly protest rallies, demanding higher pensions and other basic rights and protesting the corruption of regime institutions that run the company.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/gD1zNzT2se— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) February 17, 2025
Factory workers also joined the growing dissent. In Borujerd, textile factory workers remained on strike for a third day, protesting unpaid wages and the suspension of their health insurance. Meanwhile, workers at the Novin Sanat Raja Company in Tehran also staged protests over poor living conditions. In Isfahan, repressive security forces affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture demolished homes in the Monshian region, further stoking public outrage.
February 17—Borujerd, western Iran
Since Saturday, workers of Borujerd textile factory are on strike, protesting officials' lack of response to their demands.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/QcOAOcTmHf— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) February 17, 2025
As the protests intensify, concerns within the regime continue to mount. A security analyst recently warned, “The streets of Iran are soaked in gasoline; any spark could set them ablaze at any moment.” The persistence of these demonstrations, despite government crackdowns, suggests that public frustration is reaching a tipping point. With every passing day, the Iranian people are becoming more determined to reclaim their rights, signaling a growing confrontation between the regime and its citizens.