Protests Continue in Khuzestan for Fourth Consecutive Night

According to reports published on social media networks, protests by Khuzestan residents continued for the fourth consecutive night. Based on this, at least one protester was injured in Susangerd. Hassan Rouhani has ordered the allocation of special budget funds.

Images published on social media indicate the continuation of demonstrations by people in various Khuzestan cities against water shortages and the diversion of Karun and Karkheh river waters and the cutting of their water rights.

The images indicate that protests have continued in a number of cities, including Ahvaz, Susangerd, Shaur, Shush, Karkheh, and Shadegan.

According to published videos, at least one protester in Susangerd was injured. In the videos, the sound of gunfire and the movement of security forces on motorcycles towards the protesters can be heard.

In one of these videos, a man who states the video date as Sunday, July 18, reports the presence of special forces units in Susangerd and says they fired “tear gas and pepper spray” at the protesters.

He says the protesters “did not even have a single stone in their hands” and the forces “without any reason” rushed towards the demonstrators. He reported a large number of injured.

Published reports also indicate the arrest of a large number of protesters in the city of Khorramshahr.

While local sources report the deaths of more protesters over the past four days, official authorities have so far confirmed the deaths of two people named Mostafa Naeimavi, 30 years old, and Qasem Khaziri, 17 years old.

Hassan Rouhani’s Order for Special Budget Allocation

Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, announced on Sunday evening, July 18, that he has ordered special and urgent budget allocation for Khuzestan’s water shortage problem.

According to the government cabinet office’s news agency, Rouhani expressed regret about “the circumstances that have occurred” for the people of Khuzestan.

Based on this, he ordered the Budget and Planning Organization to allocate the funds allocated to the province “immediately and at 100 percent” of the approved amount.

The Islamic Republic authorities attribute Khuzestan’s water shortage problem to drought and weather conditions, but Khuzestan residents believe poor management is the cause of this problem.

Several members of parliament have also described the Khuzestan protests as a conspiracy.

Mahmoud Ahmadi Bigosh, representative of Shahreza, tweeted: “There is a smell of blood and conspiracy.”