Protest Gathering of Truck Drivers in Zanjan

A number of truck drivers in Zanjan gathered in a 'train-like' protest along the '22 Bahman' highway in the city, demanding that responsible authorities address their issues. On Thursday, January 7, Fars News Agency reported that the number of protesters was 200. One of the truck drivers told Fars that 'truck drivers have been requesting a fare increase for nearly four years and have been pursuing this issue since 2012.' He added that despite 'significant efforts, the governorate and relevant officials have agreed to this issue and the fare has increased... the Zarrin Mine Company has not accepted this.' According to this truck driver, the Zarrin Mine Company 'has purchased 30 trucks to counter this discussion.' The protesting truck driver further stated that 'since the owner of Zarrin Mine does not agree to a 15% fare increase... other departments do not cooperate with the truck drivers.' He urged provincial officials to 'consider the problems' of truck drivers, who have one of the 'hardest jobs' and 'are on the road from morning till night.' In recent months, various sectors, including workers, educators, retirees, and those who lost money in several bankrupt cooperative companies, have held protests in different cities across Iran, most of which have economic demands. This morning, gatherings titled 'No to Inflation' were also held in Mashhad, Nishapur, and Kashmar, where reports indicated slogans were chanted against Hassan Rouhani, calling him a 'dictator,' and criticizing Iran's support for Syria, Palestine, and Gaza. These protests took place amid recent criticism of Rouhani by opponents and critics due to the rising prices of goods and consumer products. Nevertheless, he and his government members have defended the government's economic performance, citing a reduction in the inflation rate. The increase in the prices of bread, eggs, severe fluctuations in currency rates, and government proposals in the 2018 budget bill to the Islamic Consultative Assembly regarding increased tariffs for leaving the country and raising gasoline prices have also faced severe criticism from some supporters of the twelfth government. The level of criticism of Rouhani's government has intensified to the extent that a campaign has emerged on social media with the hashtag 'We Regret.' Some citizens who voted for Hassan Rouhani have challenged his policies using this hashtag, accusing the government of failing to follow through on its promises. Meanwhile, Mohammad Khatami, the former president of Iran, has described this wave as 'targeted and planned' and has strongly criticized it. Khatami stated, 'We are not only not regretful for supporting and voting for Mr. Rouhani, but we also continue to firmly support him and consider him successful, and we view this destructive wave as a targeted and planned conspiracy to demoralize the people.' Regarding today's protests in Mashhad, Nishapur, and Kashmar, while some believe that the Basij forces initiated these protests and then some citizens joined them, others on social media argue that these types of protests should not be viewed politically. These users believe that the protesters are poor people who have nothing to lose and have warned about the joining of other protesters in different cities across Iran to this wave of protests, urging the government to pay more attention to resolving the economic problems of the people.