Protests Continue in Iran; Demonstrators Chant Against Ayatollah Khamenei

Abadan protests rapidly spread to other cities across the country. Internet services in areas where protests continued were cut off or slowed for several hours. Demonstrators chanted against the leader of the Islamic Republic.

Based on reports published on social media, protests by people in the cities of Abadan, Khorramshahr, and Behbahan continued on Thursday night (May 26). Authorities attempted to reduce internet speed to prevent the spread of protests to other parts of the country. Reports of disruptions in urban and mobile internet in various areas of Iran have been published.

In the protests of Khuzestan cities, slogans such as “Death to Khamenei,” “Khamenei, be ashamed, abandon the country,” “Khamenei the murderer, his guardianship is void” were chanted.

Demonstrators also demanded a public trial for all those responsible for the collapse of Abadan’s Metropol tower.

Angy Abadan protesters reacted to the government’s “Commander’s Greeting” ceremony at Azadi Stadium with slogans such as “Our city is ruins, the official always sleeps” and “Abadan bleeds, Tehran celebrates.”

Based on eyewitness reports in Khorramshahr demonstrations, women had active participation.

Protests over the collapse of the Metropol tower in Abadan have spread beyond Khuzestan’s borders. In Shahinshahr, Isfahan, protests continued on Thursday evening.

Reza Pahlavi’s Message

In recent days, opposition groups and individuals active outside the country reacted to developments in Khuzestan. Among them, Prince Reza Pahlavi issued a message calling for increased solidarity among Iranian people and their support for each other.

In another part of this message, it stated: “Today, the bereaved mothers of Abadan are the same mothers of November; the mothers of Izeh and Andimeshk and Farsan and Jonqan. The mothers of Kurdish coal miners and Sistan and Baluchestan fuel burners; the mothers of Iran. Their pain is the pain of the Iranian nation. We will not leave them alone.”

Raisi’s Concern

The Islamic Republic, in reaction to the protests, has on one hand pursued suppression and intimidation, but simultaneously spoken of the Raisi cabinet’s cooperation with the people and efforts to solve their problems.

The IRNA news agency reported on the travel of thirteenth government ministers to cities and towns to solve people’s problems. In a report on this matter, it stated that the visit of Rostam Qasemi, Minister of Roads and Urban Development, continued late into the night.

Ibrahim Raisi, before sending his ministers to cities and towns, said: “Solve people’s problems so issues are resolved.” The Islamic Republic’s president made no reference to people’s protests and the problems stated in the demonstrations.

Latest Status of Metropol Tower

Iranian media reported on the continued debris removal and the spread of foul odors from corpses under the rubble of the Metropol tower.

Mehran Ranjkesh, Rokna news correspondent, also released a tweet on Friday morning, June 6.

Based on some reports, the death toll exceeds official figures. Ehsan Abbaspour, Abadan mayor, stated that the number of victims of the Metropol building collapse in Abadan has risen to 19 people and the number of injured has also increased to 37.

Ahmad Vahidi, Interior Minister, also warned of the “possibility of remaining structure collapse.”

Source: DW