On July 22, Iran witnessed a series of coordinated protests across multiple cities, highlighting the growing discontent among retired employees, customers, and teachers over economic grievances and governmental inaction.
In cities such as Tabriz, Kermanshah, Ardebil, Tehran, Sanandaj, Rasht, Isfahan, and Ahvaz, retired employees of the Telecommunications Company of Iran (TCI) held rallies demanding higher pensions and other basic needs. The retirees accuse the regime of ignoring their demands despite the rising cost of living.
In Tabriz, the demonstrators gathered in front of the provincial TCI office, echoing similar scenes in Kermanshah and Sanandaj where retirees voiced their frustration over low pensions and lack of basic rights. In Rasht, protesters emphasized the regime’s disregard for laws that mandate pension increases in line with living costs.
July 22—Tabriz, northeast #Iran
Retired employees of the Telecommunications Company of Iran (TCI) hold protest rally in front of the provincial office of the TCI, demanding higher pensions and other basic needs. The regime continues to ignore their demands. #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/KggxY77hJR— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 22, 2024
In Tehran, customers of the state-backed Modiran Vehicle Manufacturing Company attempted to resume their protest at the international car expo but were thwarted by security forces. The protesters have previously gathered to object to what they describe as “unfair and illegal” price hikes by the company, demanding intervention by regulatory authorities.
In another demonstration in Tehran, literacy movement teachers rallied in front of the Ministry of Education. These teachers protested the government’s refusal to implement regulations that would promote them to reserve teachers. The demonstrators, predominantly women, expressed their frustration with their precarious employment status and called for official recognition and better job security.
In Rasht, protesters chanted, “The Welfare Foundation has violated our rights,” and “We will not rest until we get our rights.”
July 22—Tehran, #Iran
Literacy movement teachers rally in front of the education ministry, protesting the government refusing to implement its rules which would promote them to reserve teachers.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/ZBmv8cLM5V— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 22, 2024
In Sanandaj, retirees condemned what they called “false shareholders,” demanding accountability and calling for the resignation of incompetent ministers. In Isfahan, the demonstrators criticized government policies and the national media, accusing them of neglecting the retirees’ plight.
These weekly protests have been ongoing for months, driven by issues such as the lack of pension adjustments for the years 2022 and 2023, non-implementation of specific executive bylaws, inadequate supplementary insurance, and delayed payments of past dues.
These protests reflect broader economic discontent in Iran, encompassing retirees, industrial workers, teachers, and healthcare workers. The growing frequency and intensity of these demonstrations underscore the regime’s stifling dissent as it desperately attempts to navigate through multiple domestic, regional, and international crises.
