Protests Continue in Khuzestan; US: Monitoring Reports of Shooting at Protesters

Protests against water shortages in several cities of Khuzestan continued for the seventh consecutive night on Wednesday, July 30th.

Meanwhile, Ned Price, spokesman for the US State Department, said on Wednesday that the United States is monitoring reports of shooting at protesters in Khuzestan.

Based on videos and news shared on social media, demonstrations have been held in the cities of Ahvaz, Shadegan, Susangerd, Masjed Soleyman, Elahi, Behbahan, and Dezful.

These protests took place in Khuzestan cities as the prosecutor’s office of the province warned Wednesday evening that it would “firmly confront any creation of insecurity, instability, and disruption” of public order.

Concurrent with the continuation of protests in a number of Khuzestan cities and beyond, reports have been published of internet disruptions and cuts in cities that are the focal points of recent protests.

NetBlocks, which monitors internet restrictions worldwide, confirmed on Wednesday the continuation of significant disruptions to mobile internet in Khuzestan Province, Iran.

In images said to be from Ahvaz, hundreds of citizens of the city engaged in demonstrations and marches on one of the city’s streets.

In other images released from this city, protesters blocked some streets by burning tires.

A number of Ahvaz citizens said that at dawn on Thursday, electricity was cut off from parts of the city of Ahvaz.

In the city of Shadegan, protesters chanted “Hayhat min al-dholeh” in the streets of the city.

Also, in videos released from the city of Shaur in the southeast of Shush, sounds of gunfire can be heard.

Meanwhile, videos have been released showing shops being set on fire in the city of Susangerd. A Susangerd citizen said in a video that government forces are setting shops and people’s property on fire.

In videos showing images from Masjed Soleyman, citizens chanted “Bakhtiari with honor, unity, unity.”

Continuous water and electricity cuts in Iran, coinciding with rising temperatures, caused scattered protests in various parts of Iran, but in Khuzestan Province, protests have expanded since last week and continue.

Protesters in various cities, in addition to protesting water shortages, also chant against Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, and against the Islamic Republic system. In response, and based on videos released from various cities, security and law enforcement forces are dealing with protesters “with violence and gunfire.” The IRIB news agency confirmed on Wednesday the death of one protester in Izeh.

Since the start of widespread protests in Khuzestan last week until now, unofficial reports have been published of “at least five people” being killed in these protests, but official authorities have only confirmed the deaths of two young protesters in these protests, while attributing it to “rioters.”

US: Monitoring Khuzestan Protests

Meanwhile, Ned Price said that the United States is monitoring reports of shooting at protesters in Khuzestan.

The US State Department spokesperson stated at his press conference that we support the right of Iranians to peaceful assembly and to express their views. Iranians should be able to exercise this right like others, without fear of violence or arbitrary arrest by security forces.

Ned Price emphasized that we are closely following reports about protests in Iran’s Khuzestan Province, including reports about security forces shooting at protesters.

Source: Radio Farda