The 2018 protests in Iran (Persian: اعتراضات سال ۲۰۱۸ در ایران) were a series mass protests and a popular uprising in June 2018 calling for better economic justice in Iran, the biggest wave of anti-government demonstrations since the 2017-2018 Iranian protests.[1]
| 2018 protests in Iran (اعتراضات سال ۲۰۱۸ در ایران) | |
|---|---|
 Protesters in streets of Tehran | |
| Date | March 28, 2018 – July 25, 2018 |
| Location | |
| Caused by |
|
| Goals |
|
| Methods | Demonstrations, Riots, Rallies |
| Resulted in |
|
| Deaths and injuries | |
| Death(s) | 1-5 |
| Injuries | 10+ (hundreds arrested) |
Background
editThe 2017-2018 Iranian protests is a wave of protests against the government after egg prices soared and a new budget law was passed, triggering deadly anti-government uprisings across the nation, leaving 23-25 killed in 11 days of mass protests. The 2018 Dervish protests is protests against discrimination that has left 1 dead. The protests was against economic hardships and failures to keep the country thriving.[2][better source needed]
Protests
editMarch 28-March 31: The 2018 Khuzestan protests erupted in the southern region of Khuzestan, leaving 1-2 killed in demonstrations against discrimination of Iranian Arabs. Clashes with police ensued into crackdown. On 29-31 March, after weeks of protests across the country, mass protests against water shortages erupted throughout Isfahan, leading to clashes with the security forces, protesting polluted water and water shortages (Water crisis in Iran). Protesters and angry farmers rallied and demonstrated on 10 April and fight the security forces, who responded with Tear gas.[3][4][5]
April 14-June 2: A wave of truckers strikes was launched after truckers went on strike in Baneh and Isfahan, where shopkeepers closed their stores and shops and went on strike to protest economic failures and worsening conditions.[6] The strike actions continue for 20 days. From 24 May till 4 June, a wave of popular strike campaigns was launched after truckers didn't receive their demands and demanded wage increases despite economic teeters in Isfahan. After the campaigns, police crackdown hard on protesters. Over the next 4-6 weeks, hundreds of merchant and trader unions went on strike, protesting against economic turmoil, demanding better wages and unemployment to stagnate.
25 June: On 25 June 2018, shops were shut and thousands gathered in the Bazaar area of Tehran to protest the economic situation.[7] This was met with security forces firing tear gas at the protestors.[8] Protests against the economic situation also occurred in Shahriar, Karaj, Qeshm, Bandar Abbas, and Mashhad.[9] Some of the stores were closed enforcedly by unknown individuals.[10][11]
26 June: People in Tehran took to the streets for the third straight day on 26 June, with many shops in Tehran's Bazaar remaining closed.[12] Videos from social media showed the crowd in downtown Tehran chanting "Death to the dictator" and "Death to Palestine".[13][12] Security forces clamped down on the protesters once again, arresting a large number of people.[14]
Strikes and protests were also seen in Kermanshah, Arak and Tabriz.[15]
27 June: Protests continued for a third day in Tehran, despite a heavy security presence,[16] Reuters referred to the three days as "the biggest unrest since the start of the year". Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, addressed the protests for the first time and called on the judiciary to punish those who disrupted economic security.[17] Many of the protests involved traders in the Grand Bazaar in Tehran, who complained that the devaluation of the Iranian rial had forced them to stop trading.[18]
28 June: On 28 June, sources told Radio Farda that merchants had closed down the Bazaar in the city of Arak.[19] Tehran's prosecutor general stated that a large number of protesters had been arrested and would likely face trial. Jafar Dolatabadi also stated in an interview that the protesters grievances are not only economic, and that "people are grappling with political and social concerns".[20]
July: A new protest movement erupted across Iran by tens of thousands of protesting teachers and students, called “No to Pay Slips and Salary Policies” over unpaid and unfair wages for teachers, that lasted for nearly three weeks, teachers are now deprived of an “appropriate salary budget, and as a result, the quality of education has also been lowered for students”. The protests began online but after a couple of days of online protests, marches and large demonstrations began on the streets in 15 July, the protests resulted in no achievement in Fars and Qazvin.[21]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Water crisis spurs protests in Iran". Reuters. March 29, 2018.
- ^ "Iran truckers join nationwide push for change". OpenDemocracy. 28 May 2018.
- ^ "ASMLA chief says Ahwazi uprising threw Mullah regime into dilemma". The Baghdad Post. 2 April 2018.
- ^ "Ahwazi Intifada: March against racism continues spreading". Ahwaz Monitor: Information Centre. 31 March 2018.
- ^ "Ahwaz: The Uprising of Dignity". Hamid Rahim. 1 April 2018.
- ^ "General Strike in Kurdish Cities". Pdki.org. 22 April 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
- ^ "Thousands protest in Iran over failing economy, forcing closure of Tehran's Grand Bazaar". Abc.net.au. 26 June 2018.
- ^ Staff, Our Foreign (25 June 2018). "Iran protesters confront police at parliament in fresh wave of demonstrations". Telegraph.co.uk.
- ^ "اعتصاب بازار تهران: درگیری و اعتراض به گرانی در چند شهر ایران". Bbc.com. 25 June 2018.
- ^ "Behind the scenes of the events of today's Tehran market" (in Persian). Isna News Agency. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- ^ "Shutters that were pulled down by force" (in Persian). Tasnim News Agency. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- ^ a b "Dozens Arrested As Tehran Bazaar Protest Spreads To Other Cities". En.radiofarda.com.
- ^ "گزارش واشنگتن فری بیکن: معترضان ایرانی شعار "مرگ بر فلسطین" سر میدهند". Ir.voanews.com. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
- ^ "بازداشت "تعداد زیادی" از معترضان؛ تجمعهای بازاریان به دیگر شهرهای ایران کشیده شد". رادیو فردا.
- ^ "Iran protests set to continue amid collapsing currency, increasing pressure on regime". CNBC. CNBC News. June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Amid Heavy Security, Tehran Bazaar Partially Open". En.radiofarda.com.
- ^ Dehghanpisheh, Babak. "After protests, Iran's Khamenei demands punishment for those who..." Uk.reuters.com. Archived from the original on June 27, 2018.
- ^ "Iran's power struggle plays out in Tehran's Grand Bazaar". Edition.cnn.com. 27 June 2018.
- ^ "IRAN: Prosecutor Says 'A Large Number' Of Protesters Arrested, Threatens Others". Payvand.com. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
- ^ "Iran economic protests shut Tehran's Grand Bazaar". BBC News. BBC. 25 June 2018.
- ^ "Iran: Teachers' Campaign of "No to Pay Slips and Salary Policies"". NCR-Iran. 22 July 2018.