Iran: Government vows to crack down on protests

Event

Iranian security forces vowed to “resolutely confront” civil unrest during an announcement made on Sunday, May 27, following a wave of protests across the country concerning economic issues. Anticipation of renewed US sanctions following US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iranian nuclear deal has sparked the protests, notably by teachers, truckers, and labor unions.

European leaders are currently in the midst of creating a proposal to compensate for potential American sanctions, which they will present to Iran by May 31. According to Iranian officials, Tehran is “weeks away” from deciding whether it will stay in the deal.

Context

Iran has witnessed a multitude of protests over various grievances in cities across the country since December 2017. In December 2017 and January 2018, Iran experienced the largest demonstrations expressing public dissatisfaction with the economic and sociopolitical status quo since the Green Movement protests of 2009. Those protests - some of which called for Shi’a clerical leaders to step down - resulted in dozens of deaths and thousands of arrests. In recent weeks, protests and strikes have also been held over water issues, insufficient wages, political prisoners, border closures, political administration issues, poor university administration, and mismanagement of financial institutions.

Advice

Individuals in Iran are advised to monitor developments to the situation, strictly avoid all protests and demonstrations, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.