Protests in Several Cities in Iran; Arrests of Protesters in Tehran and Kermanshah

A day after cities such as Mashhad, Nishapur, Kashmar, and Shahroud witnessed protests titled 'No to Inflation', videos circulating on social media indicate that the protests have spread to Kermanshah, Tehran, Quchan, Isfahan, Rasht, Ahvaz, and Qom. On Friday, the security deputy of Tehran's governorate reported the arrest of several protesters in one of Tehran's squares. Regarding the gathering on Friday, January 8, in Kermanshah, multiple images and videos shared on social media show that the protesters in Azadi Square and around Modarres Street were chanting slogans such as 'Political prisoners must be freed' and 'The nation is begging, God is begging'. The demonstrators were moving towards Shahid Beheshti Boulevard in Kermanshah, and Fars News Agency reported that their number was '300'. Other slogans heard in these videos include 'Leave Syria, think of us', 'Either death or freedom', 'Political prisoners must be freed', 'The nation is begging, the clerics are begging', and 'Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, we are all together'. Some reports also indicate clashes between security forces and protesters in Kermanshah, with stones thrown at officers and at least one security officer injured. It is reported that officers in Kermanshah used tear gas and water cannons and arrested several people in the city. Videos have also been released showing a gathering in Rasht where protesters chant against Sadegh Larijani, the head of Iran's judiciary. Other unverified videos on social media are related to a gathering in Shiraz where protesters confront police with the slogan: 'Police, go catch the thief'. Images of gatherings reportedly taking place in Khorramabad, Lorestan, have also been seen on social media. This news comes as reports of a heavy police presence in the streets of Tehran are being circulated, and a security official has warned the public about gatherings in Tehran. Mohsen Nasj Hamdani, the security deputy of Tehran's governorate, stated on Friday in an interview with Tasnim News Agency that 'no permit for public gatherings in Tehran has been issued by the governorate, and if such gatherings occur, decisive action will be taken by the police.' Following these statements, the security deputy told ILNA that 'in one of the squares [in Tehran], fewer than 50 people were present, and some left the scene after police warnings, but a few remained despite the police warning. After this, and upon police inquiry, a few were temporarily arrested.' Some student sources have also reported on their websites about an 'undeclared martial law in the cities of Tabriz, Kerman, Tehran, and the deployment of riot police in the squares of major cities', adding that 'in the streets of Tabriz, riot police and guards have been stationed around the Saat Square.' After the protests held on Thursday titled 'No to Inflation' in front of the municipality of Mashhad, the head of the Revolutionary Court in Mashhad reported the arrest of 52 protesters in Mashhad. Hassan Heydari, the prosecutor of Mashhad, stated that he considers the protest a right of the people and citizens, but nonetheless labeled the participants in the gathering as 'a group of disruptors' who had shouted 'harsh slogans'. Based on videos published on some Telegram channels, hundreds of participants gathered in front of the municipality building in Mashhad's Shohada Square, protesting against inflation and chanting slogans such as: 'Death to the dictator' and 'Death to Rouhani'. Other slogans from the protesters included 'You have made Islam a step, you have made the people miserable', 'Reza Shah, may your soul rest in peace', 'What a mistake I made by revolting', 'Police, go catch the thief', 'Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life is for Iran', and 'Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, we are all together'. These gatherings took place amid recent criticism directed at Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, by his opponents and critics over the rising prices of goods and consumer products. Nevertheless, he and his government officials defend the government's economic performance, citing a decrease in the inflation rate.