Iran: Protests continue in several Iranian cities January 1 /update 5

Event

Protests continued in Iran for a fifth consecutive day on Monday, January 1, with local reports describing burning cars and a heavy police presence in the capital Tehran. Protests were also reportedly ongoing Monday evening in Kermanshah (Kermanshah province), Birjand (South Khorasan province), and Shadegan (Khuzestan province), and state media reported that shots had been fired in Najafabad (Isfahan province). According to state television, ten people had been killed overnight from December 31 to January 1: six in Tuyserkan (Hamadan province), two in Izeh (Khuzestan province), and two in Dorud (Lorestan province), bringing the total number of fatalities linked to the unrest to 12 (two more were previously reported killed in Dorud on Saturday night). Up to 400 demonstrators have reportedly been arrested. Although President Hassan Rouhani has called the protesters' complaints legitimate and referred to legal protests as an "opportunity" rather than a threat to the government, he has also vowed to stop "rioters and lawbreakers." Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has stated that anti-government protesters will face retribution if the unrest continues, leading to fears of further violence and crackdowns. 

On Sunday, Iranian authorities reportedly temporarily restricted access to social media platforms, including Telegram and Instagram, which had been used to organize demonstrations. However,  the Iranian Minister for Communications and Technology disputed the reports on Monday, calling them "rumors." A heightened security presence, as well as additional protests and consequent transportation disruptions, are expected throughout Iran in the coming days. 

Context

Protests against high prices, state economic policy, high unemployment, and perceived government corruption have sprung up in many cities across Iran, spreading from demonstrations that occurred on December 28 in Mashhad. The ongoing protests are considered the largest such demonstrations expressing 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. Unemployment remains high at around 12.4 percent, according to the latest figures from the Statistical Centre of Iran, and this number jumps further to over 24 percent for young people aged 15 to 29.

Advice

Individuals in Iran are advised to strictly avoid all protests and public gatherings, to closely monitor developments to the situation, and to adhere to all advice issued by their home governments. A heightened security presence should be anticipated across the country in the coming days; adopt a cooperative attitude in any interactions with local authorities. Generally speaking, foreign nationals in Iran should maintain a low profile and refrain from commenting on the current political climate (including online), taking photographs of protests, or any other actions that could draw undue attention.