On Sunday, August 31, Isfahan witnessed protests by retired steel and mining workers. Dozens of retirees voiced their anger at their dire living conditions and the neglect of regime officials.
One of the main chants of the protest was “Hey, Mr. President, you lied to the nation,” which was repeated several times by the demonstrators.
The participants stressed that after years of hard labor in the steel and mining industries, they are now struggling with empty tables and severe livelihood problems. They declared that remaining silent in the face of oppression and injustice is no longer possible, and their presence in the streets is a direct response to officials’ indifference.
Protest of Loshan residents against the water crisis
Residents of Jamalabad in Loshan, Gilan Province—one of Iran’s rainiest regions—blocked the old road by burning tires to protest the lack of drinking water. This crisis, which has persisted for years, symbolizes the authorities’ failure to provide even the most basic needs of the people. Despite repeated promises from regime officials, no operational plan has been presented to resolve the problem. In a province with abundant water resources, this failure is not only shocking but also a sign of systemic neglect of people’s livelihoods.
Gathering of Refah store employees in Hamedan
On August 30, employees of the Refah store in Hamedan staged a protest over the non-payment of three months’ wages and insurance. This store is affiliated with regime-linked institutions. Their protest reflects the broader struggles of workers across the country who are grappling with wage arrears and a lack of job security.
Protest of Paband villagers in Zanjan against the solar power plant project
Residents of Paband village in Zanjan gathered along the route of the energy minister’s convoy to protest the forced seizure of their farmland for the construction of a solar power plant. They emphasized that these lands are their only source of livelihood and that they would not accept forced handover. Notably, the minister avoided confronting the protesters and chose an alternate route.
Protest of Arghavan-Gostar petrochemical workers in Ilam
Laid-off workers of Arghavan-Gostar Petrochemical in Ilam gathered in front of the governor’s office to protest unfair employment exams and unjust layoffs. These protests are part of a broader wave of dissatisfaction with economic and employment policies that have endangered workers’ livelihoods.
Protest of teacher recruitment applicants
On August 29, applicants for the teacher recruitment exam in Tehran and Mashhad gathered in front of the Ministry of Education buildings. They protested sudden changes in exam conditions and the allocation of special privileges to a certain group. With passionate chants, they demanded an immediate review and the removal of the employee coefficient from the exam results, highlighting deep dissatisfaction with non-transparent and discriminatory processes.
Protest of medical interns in Shahr-e Kord
Medical interns in Shahr-e Kord gathered in the courtyard of Kashani Hospital to protest the third incident of their colleagues being assaulted. They declared that their job security and physical safety are at risk and that they can no longer remain silent. This protest reflects the unsafe working conditions of healthcare workers and the system’s disregard for protecting this vital sector.
Protest of victims of the 12-day war
The victims of the 12-day war, whose homes were destroyed since June 13 and who had been sheltered in hotels, staged protests after receiving eviction orders. They gathered first in front of the judiciary’s Public Communications Center and then in Tehran’s Pasteur Square. Carrying placards that read “Our homes and lives are destroyed; for 60 days we have been displaced in hotels,” they demanded compensation and housing. This protest illustrates how war victims have been abandoned in critical conditions.
