On February 24, citizens in Iran held at least seven rallies and protests in various cities, in addition to the massive protests of Baluch residents in Saravan city, Sistan and Baluchestan province. In response to security forces opening fire on a group of fuel carriers and killing dozens of people, residents attacked the local Governorate and set it ablaze.

Iranians Continue Protests; at Least Six Rallies and Strikes on February 24

The situation of Saravan is still tense, and officials have banned the people from access to the internet. Furthermore, Iranian citizens staged seven rallies and protests in various cities, including in front of the Parliament (Majlis). They expressed their despair over the officials’ failure to meet their long-standing demands.

Solidarity with Saravan Protests—Iranians continue protests on February 24
Solidarity with Saravan Protests—Iranians continue protests on February 24

Solidarity with Saravan Protests

Sistan and Baluchestan province—following the Iranian regime’s brutal crackdown on Iranian Baluch protesters and fuel porters in Saravan city, citizens from different provinces declared their solidarity with oppressed people. In Iranshahr, merchants shut down their stores and launched a strike in condemnation of the regime’s crimes.

Furthermore, according to the Iranian opposition People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), Iranian citizens in the provinces of Razavi Khorasan, Alborz, Isfahan, Gilan, Eastern Azarbaijan, Tehran, and Zanjan showed their support for the Saravan protests.

Nationwide Solidarity with Saravan Protests – February 24-25

Rally of Azvico Customers—Iranians continue protests on February 24
Rally of Azvico Customers—Iranians continue protests on February 24

Rally of Azvico Customers

Tehran province—customers of the Eastern Azarbaijan-based Azvico automaking company held a gathering in front of the Special Complex for prosecuting Economic Crimes. They blamed the government-backed company for failing to meet protesters’ demands.

“Economic criminals must be punished,” they chanted. “The February 24 rally was the 24th protests of Azvico customers,” said a protester.

Only in February, Azvico customers have held two rallies. The Azvico company was accused of receiving more than $200 million from government funds and not returning it. Furthermore, the company had falsely sold MG360 automobiles to around 5,000 customers. The company has yet to deliver registered automobiles to customers despite receiving a massive amount of money.

However, the judiciary did not follow up on this flagrant fraud. According to activists, several commanders of the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and MPs are behind the case. For instance, IRGC Coordinator Mohammad Reza Naghdi’s influence led the government not to pursue the return of the $200 million. Another IRGC commander Seyed Fateh Fathi, the brother of former MP from Khoy city Seyed Taghi Fathi, is another Azvico shareholder.

Rally of Engineers—Iranians continue protests on February 24
Rally of Engineers—Iranians continue protests on February 24

Rally of Engineers

Eastern Azarbaijan province—in tandem with the Engineer Day in Iran, a group of engineers rallied, protesting recent decisions of the Provincial Engineering Apparatus’s managing board.

According to protesters, the managing board’s recent decisions have led to the unemployment of engineers with little experience. In this context, they have faced enormous living dilemmas.

Rally of Water Organization Staff—Iranians continue protests on February 24
Rally of Water Organization Staff—Iranians continue protests on February 24

Rally of Water Organization Staff

Khuzestan province—Water and Sewage Organization staff of rural sectors held a rally in front of the Provincial Governorate in Ahvaz.

They protested officials’ failure to pay their wages and insurance rights. Notably, Ahvaz lacks essential infrastructure despite the province sitting on massive reserves of oil and liquid gas. However, the government refrains from allocating an adequate budget to cover its staff.

On the other hand, the worn-out infrastructure of Ahvaz claims many children’s lives. State-run media mention such a social phenomenon as the abandoned future of Ahvaz’s children.

Rally of Customs Staff—Iranians continue protests on February 24
Rally of Customs Staff—Iranians continue protests on February 24

Rally of Customs Staff

Western Azarbaijan province—activists and staff of the Bazargan [merchant] customs rallied, protesting officials for refusing to issue permissions for cargos’ clearance. Staff say that the Western Azarbaijan Customs Office has unreasonably increased taxes by 10 percent.

“Protesting the lack of customs system and the prevention from releasing goods inside the Bazargan customs, people have gathered in front of the Finance Office to vent their anger,” explained a protester.

Rally of Contract Oil Workers—Iranians continue protests on February 24
Rally of Contract Oil Workers—Iranians continue protests on February 24

Rally of Contract Oil Workers

Tehran province—a group of temporary contract workers affiliated with the Oil Ministry held a rally in front of the Parliament (Majlis).

They protested systematic discrimination, calling on officials to change their job conditions and equalize their paychecks with other oil employees’ salaries.

Iranians Continue Protests; at Least Eight Rallies and Strikes on February 22 and 23

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