Scope of Protests Expands Over Economic and Political Pressures

These protests are no longer apparently limited to Khuzestan and have spread to areas such as the cities of Kordestan and Dorud in the provinces of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari and Lorestan.

In some videos, clashes between security forces and protesters can be seen. The slogans have also extended beyond issues related to economic pressures, targeting the political apex and demanding their removal: “Raisi, have shame, abandon the country” or “Raisi is a liar, where are your promises.”

In Ahvaz, some reports indicated the burning of a mosque and some public buildings, which sparked debate about the accuracy of these actions and the nature of the perpetrators on social media.

Messages indicating the arrest of dozens of protesters have also been posted on social media.

Deutsche Welle does not have the ability to verify and confirm the news and videos posted.

A number of citizens have also reported in their messages on social media widespread internet and mobile phone outages in various cities in Khuzestan. Only home internet with slow speeds continues to work.

The night before, Wednesday evening (May 11th), videos were posted on social media showing a number of citizens chanting slogans such as “Death to Khamenei,” “Death to Raisi,” “Missiles, tanks, machine guns, the clergy must disappear,” “May the spirit of Reza Shah be happy.”

Economic Pressures and Lack of Vision

In recent days, protests over inflation and economic conditions have been held in various cities in Khuzestan, which met with a harsh response from the government. Among the government measures to prevent the spread of protests were reducing internet speed and in some cases cutting off internet and mobile phones.

Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah, praised the protests Thursday night in a message on his Telegram channel, writing: “I know that the patience of the majority of the Iranian people has ended and soon the streets across the country will be filled with protesting crowds.”