Retirees, workers, housing applicants, and defrauded investors staged coordinated protests across Iran in late July 2026, denouncing inflation, corruption, unpaid rights, and the regime’s economic mismanagement.
During the last week of July 2026, demonstrations continued across Iran as retirees, workers, housing applicants, and other social groups protested worsening economic conditions, inflation, corruption, and what they described as systematic government plunder.
The protests, which took place in numerous cities, reflected the growing frustration of ordinary Iranians facing declining living standards while accusing the regime of prioritizing corruption and repression over addressing the country’s deepening economic crisis.
Housing Applicants Continue Sit-in in Arak
Among the ongoing protests, applicants to the government’s National Housing Movement in Arak maintained their sit-in, criticizing authorities over prolonged delays in construction projects and the failure to deliver promised housing units.
Participants also denounced what they described as official mismanagement that has left thousands of families in uncertainty despite repeated promises from government officials.
Retirees Hold Coordinated Demonstrations Across Multiple Cities
On Monday, July 20, 2026, retirees, workers, and other citizens staged coordinated demonstrations in Isfahan, Sanandaj, Kermanshah, Bijar, Tabriz, Arak, and Tehran.
The protesters condemned deteriorating living conditions, shrinking pensions, and what they described as the systematic looting of public assets and retirees’ rights.
Many demonstrators specifically accused institutions linked to the regime and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of seizing valuable public assets while denying retirees their lawful benefits.
Among the slogans heard during the demonstrations were:
“The Headquarters for Executing Imam Khomeini’s Order took over the telecommunications company and stole our rights.” and “Mobin Trust Consortium of the IRGC took over telecommunications and stole our rights.”
The demonstrations reflected months of sustained protests by retirees, workers, teachers, and investors who have repeatedly gathered across Iran to protest poverty, inflation, corruption, and the regime’s handling of public resources.
Workers Expand Labor Protests
Labor unrest also continued during the week.
On Sunday, July 19, 2026, workers at the Tabriz Machine Manufacturing Foundry went on strike, demanding improved working conditions and the protection of their labor rights.
That same day in Tehran, individuals who say they were financially harmed by Arian Pars Motor Company held a protest demanding accountability and compensation for their losses.
Retirees Rally in Four More Cities
Also on Sunday, July 19, retirees affiliated with the Social Security Organization organized additional demonstrations in Shush, Ahvaz, Arak, and Yazd, protesting poverty, soaring prices, inflation, corruption, and the regime’s continued disregard for their economic demands.
Shush: “Only the Streets Can Win Our Rights”
The largest and most vocal gathering took place in Shush, where retirees chanted slogans emphasizing both economic hardship and their determination to continue protesting.
Among the slogans were:
- “Only in the streets can we win our rights.”
- “Retirees, raise your voices and demand your rights.”
- “Oppression and injustice have driven us into the streets.”
- “A retiree’s salary lasts only one week.”
- “We will not submit to oppression; we will sacrifice our lives for freedom.”
- “Inflation dominates the marketplace.”
- “A retiree’s refrigerator is emptier than ever.”
- “Enough oppression—our tables are empty.”
- “We will fight, we will die, we will reclaim our rights.”
- “Our tables have no bread—what more do you want from us?”
- “You claim justice—how long will you lie to the people?”
- “Government, have some shame and pay our rights.”
- “Our expenses are in dollars, our salaries are in rials.”
- “Neither parliament nor the government cares about the people.”
- “Their slogan is Hussein, Hussein; their practice is lies and theft.”
- “They looted Social Security and left us destitute.”
- “The streets are the workers’ stronghold.”
- “Inflation and high prices are destroying people’s lives.”
- “Inflation and high prices mean stealing from the people’s pockets.”
- “No to war and destruction.”
- “The right to protest is our undeniable right.”
- “Enough warmongering—our tables are empty.”
- “Our expenses have skyrocketed while our incomes remain below the poverty line.”
Many of the chants linked worsening economic conditions to the regime’s broader political priorities, arguing that resources are being diverted away from citizens while ordinary families struggle to afford basic necessities.
Ahvaz Demonstrators Repeat Economic Demands
Simultaneously, retirees in Ahvaz organized their own protest against inflation, declining purchasing power, and the government’s failure to respond to repeated calls for higher pensions and improved living conditions.
Like demonstrators elsewhere, they argued that official promises have failed to translate into meaningful economic relief.
A Persistent Nationwide Pattern
The protests during the final week of July illustrate a continuing pattern across Iran: workers demanding fair wages, retirees struggling with inflation, investors seeking compensation, and families protesting broken housing promises.
Although the immediate grievances vary from city to city, they all point to a common reality. Economic hardship, declining purchasing power, and widespread allegations of corruption continue to fuel regular demonstrations across the country, underscoring the growing disconnect between the Iranian regime and large segments of the population.
