Iran: Protests continue in several Iranian cities December 31 /update 4

Event

Protests continued in Iran for a fourth consecutive day on Sunday, December 31, as some 200 protesters marched in central Tehran's university district. Hundreds of protesters also gathered in Kermanshah on Sunday, per video footage shared by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) affiliates; additionally, protests were reported in Doroud (Lorestan province) and Sanandaj (Kurdistan province) on Sunday. Around 200 other demonstrators were arrested in related protests in Tehran on the night of Saturday, December 30 (local time); Iranian security forces shot five people in Doroud on Saturday night, killing at least two people.

Iranian authorities cut access to social media platforms - including Telegram and Instagram - on Sunday to stifle the organization of additional protests. Though Iranian state news has announced that such cuts are temporary, it is unclear when normal access will resume. A heightened security presence is expected throughout Iran in the coming days. Additional protests and consequent traffic disruptions are also expected in the coming days in Iran.

Context

Protests against high prices, state economic policy, high unemployment, and perceived government corruption have taken place in many cities across Iran since December 28. The ongoing protests are considered the largest such demonstrations of public dissatisfaction with the economic and sociopolitical status quo since the Green Movement protests of 2009. Pro-government counter-demonstrations also occurred in Tehran and other major cities on December 30.

The Iranian economy has generally improved since the country signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or "Iran nuclear deal," in 2015. Public frustration has risen in recent months, however, as many of the JCPOA's promised economic benefits have yet to reach much of the Iranian population. Prices of basic goods have risen by 30-40 percent in recent days, and unemployment remains high - around 12.4 percent, according to the latest figures from the Statistical Centre of Iran.

Advice

Individuals in Iran are advised to avoid taking part in any form of protest or gathering and to monitor the situation for traffic disruptions. Generally speaking, foreign nationals in Iran should maintain a low profile and refrain from participating in rallies or adopting any anti-regime political stances when in the country due to the risk of arrest.