Protests Continue in Several Cities Across Iran

Videos circulating on social media indicate that protests and gatherings took place in Tehran, Karaj, Shiraz, Qom, and Eshtehard on Saturday night, August 13. In the footage from the protests near Hafez Bridge (College) in Tehran, demonstrators chanted: "Iranians will die, but will not accept humiliation," "Iranian, show your pride," "Death to the dictator," "Proud Iranians, support support." Another video showed a gathering in Yaftabad, Tehran, where a speaker said: "Everyone is tired. Everyone is fed up. Everyone has families and is under oppression. Here, we are all in debt. Look, we are all together. We are all tired. We all want freedom." Protests in Tehran began on Thursday, August 11, after earlier protests had started in Isfahan. Based on videos shared on social media, protesters in Karaj also chanted: "Khamenei, have some shame, leave the country alone," "Law enforcement, support support." One of the slogans from protesters at the Golshahr intersection in Karaj was: "Iranian, speak up, shout your rights." Additionally, protesters in Shiraz shouted "Death to inflation," "Death to the dictator," "Enough, Iranian, show your pride." Another video circulating on social media showed protesters chanting: "Cannon, tank, firecracker, clerics must disappear." In Qom, protesters chanted: "Death to the dictator" and "Islam has made us miserable, the people are exhausted." In Eshtehard, demonstrators chanted: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, we are all together." Radio Farda does not have reporters in Iran and cannot independently verify the details of these gatherings. The latest wave of street protests in Iran began following the collapse of the rial's value, a chaotic economic situation, rising prices, and the daily increase in the prices of foreign currencies and gold coins. However, in recent days, the main slogans of the protesters have been directed against the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, the government, and the clergy. Protests have recently occurred in Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Ahvaz, Mashhad, and several other cities in Iran. In this context, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, the Minister of Interior, on Thursday, August 11, reacted to the protests and gatherings in various cities of Iran, accusing "enemies" of trying to "create social tension" and stated that the situation cannot be disrupted by a gathering of 200 people. The Minister's remarks were among the first official reactions from government officials to the new wave of protests in various cities. Previously, protests had taken place in about 100 cities in Iran in January of the previous year.