Continued Strike of Truck Drivers and Arrest of 10 More Individuals

As the strike of truck drivers continues in several cities across Iran, the head of the judiciary in Kermanshah province announced the arrest of 10 more individuals in connection with this strike. According to the Mizan news agency, Mohammad Reza Adalatkhah, the head of the judiciary in Kermanshah province, reported on Tuesday, October 9, that 10 individuals were arrested in this province on charges of 'disrupting road transportation' and creating disturbances for 'trucks.' Following a new wave of strikes that began 20 days ago, approximately 200 truck drivers and individuals who, according to judicial officials, promoted the strike on social media have been detained. However, judicial officials have accused the detainees of 'assault' and 'attacking' trucks. This claim comes despite previous accusations by Islamic Republic officials against protesters in similar protests for damaging public or private property. Protesters have denied these allegations, stating that such actions were carried out by security forces to create a pretext for suppressing them. Videos have also emerged showing the destruction of public and private property by security forces. Previously, Mahmoud Sadighi, Parvaneh Mafi, Soheila Jelodarzadeh, and Elias Hazrati, four representatives from Tehran, had issued a warning to the Minister of Interior regarding the destruction of 'people's property, vehicles, and store doors' during a market protest in July, demanding 'action against negligent officers, compensation for damages, and prevention of such incidents in the future.' The strike of truck drivers continues, with videos of the strike being published from various cities in Iran on Tuesday. Meanwhile, judicial officials have threatened that 'severe punishment awaits disruptors' in transportation. For instance, Mohsen Karami, the head of the Qazvin prosecutor's office, stated on October 8, referring to the arrest of 17 individuals in connection with the truck drivers' strike, 'We will demand the harshest punishment for them, and if their rebellion is proven, heavy sentences such as execution await them.' 153 members of parliament have written to the Iranian president requesting a resolution to the truck drivers' issues. On the other hand, Ali Ebrahimi, a representative from Shazand, stated in parliament that 'the truck drivers' protest is not political and should not be met with violent responses.' The truck drivers' demands include setting base fares based on tons per kilometer by cargo type, reducing the price of trucks, spare parts, and tires with the allocation of state currency, eliminating customs duties, increasing drivers' wages, raising truck fares, increasing retirement pensions for drivers, enhancing road safety, modernizing drivers' and truck drivers' unions through free elections, and providing welfare and health facilities for drivers at urban and border terminals. Previously, truck drivers had gone on strike with the same demands in August and June of this year, strikes that received support from the General Confederation of Labor, major labor unions in Italy, the Front Against Austerity in that country, and the union of workers from the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company.