Videos of Protests in Several Cities in Iran Released

On the evening of Monday, February 9, videos were released on social media showing protests against the leader of the Islamic Republic and the Iranian government in several cities across Iran. These videos depict gatherings in Bandar Abbas, Khorramabad, Arak, Kerman, and Shiraz, where protesters chant slogans such as 'Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, we are all together' and 'Death to Khamenei.' Radio Farda, due to the inability to have reporters inside Iran and the restrictions on reporting by the Islamic Republic, cannot independently comment on the accuracy and timing of these videos and protests; it cannot confirm or deny them. Videos purportedly showing nighttime protests in Bandar Abbas and protests in Kerman have surfaced. Prior to the release of these videos, calls for protests on the anniversary of the 1979 Revolution had been circulated on social media. In previous protests in January across various cities in Iran, at least 25 people were killed and 3,700 were arrested. The initial protests, sparked by economic conditions in the city of Mashhad, quickly spread to other cities and took on a political dimension. During the January protests, slogans were chanted against the leader of the Islamic Republic, senior officials, and in support of the Pahlavi monarchs. The situation in Iran is marked by ongoing crises and the potential radicalization of society, with significant implications for the political landscape.