Protests Spread to Tehran

Videos received show that on Thursday evening, August 11, protests in several cities of Iran have for the first time spread to Tehran, with demonstrators chanting against the economic and political disorder and the policies of the Islamic Republic. Images indicate that one of the protests in the capital took place from Vali Asr Square towards Imam Hossein Square. According to one video, the protesters, numbering in the hundreds, are marching on the sidewalk and Vali Asr Street, with a trash can set on fire. The protesters, with their fists raised, chant: 'Cannon, tank, firecracker / The clerics must disappear.' In another video, protesters chant 'Death to Khamenei,' and one of them shouts that Basij forces are attacking the people. In the recent wave of street protests in Iran that began on Tuesday of this week, Tehran has been relatively calm, but cities like Isfahan, Shiraz, and Gohardasht in Karaj have witnessed widespread protests. According to other reports, the presence of security forces and police in downtown Tehran has created a tense atmosphere. The northern part of Tehran, especially the Tajrish neighborhood, has also been reported as tense. Unconfirmed reports also indicate scattered clashes in downtown Tehran, which Radio Farda cannot currently confirm or deny. On Thursday morning, a similar protest was held at Sadeghiyeh Square in Tehran, where the presence of police forces was also notable. Gohardasht in Karaj has seen protests for the third consecutive night, with a video related to these protests circulating on social media, showing a group chanting 'Death to Khamenei.' Another video indicates a protest in Ahvaz on Thursday night, while local security officials had announced that no permit for gatherings had been issued. Other unconfirmed reports suggest a group has gathered on Bouali Street in Hamadan, where security officials also stated no permit was issued for gatherings. Arak also witnessed some protests on Thursday morning, with recent footage suggesting the protests continued into the night. Mashhad also saw a gathering on Thursday morning, with videos indicating a tense atmosphere there. The situation in Sari, which saw a protest in the morning, has also been reported as tense due to the presence of security forces in some areas. Two other videos have been shared on social media, reportedly related to nighttime protests in Eshtehard Karaj and Qarchak Varamin, with protesters chanting 'Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life is for Iran.' The currency fluctuations in Iran, which began before the announcement of the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA, have led to increased prices of housing, electronics, gold, coins, and mobile phones, as well as rising prices of essential goods. The economic turmoil in Iran, alongside rising temperatures, drought, and ongoing power outages in various parts of the country, has fueled discontent. However, senior officials of the Islamic Republic attribute the currency and economic turbulence to external factors, labeling them as 'enemies' and 'dirty hands.'