Iran: Demonstrations in several provinces May 4 /update 4

Event

Protests were reportedly held over various grievances in Kazerun (Fars province), Haffttapeh (Khuzestan province), Konarak (Sistan and Baluchestan province), and Dezful (Khuzestan province) on Friday, May 4. A strike among shop owners also continued in Baneh (Kurdistan province) for the 19th consecutive day over the closure of the Iran-Iraq border by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) personnel. Additional protests are expected in the abovementioned towns and cities in the coming days, including the strike in Baneh. A heightened security presence and localized transportation disruptions are expected near demonstrations.

Context

Anti-government protests over various issues have taken place in several Iranian cities in recent weeks. Notably, farmers in Isfahan province have staged demonstrations in the city of Isfahan and in neighboring towns and villages since February 28, demanding that the government address the lack of sufficient water for agriculture amid the ongoing drought and consequent difficulty to grow crops in the region. In recent weeks, protests and strikes have been held in cities throughout Iran over water issues, insufficient wages, political prisoners, border closures, political administration issues, poor university administration, and mismanagement of financial institutions.

Protests have also recently erupted in Ahwaz (Khuzestan province) over perceived government discrimination toward Arab residents and Arab-majority areas. Security forces violently cracked down on the protests, and have arrested hundreds of people due to their alleged participation in the demonstrations.

Advice

Individuals in Iran, particularly in the abovementioned areas, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.