Iranians in Tehran, Isfahan Mashhad, Shiraz took to streets to protest against the high inflation rates and unemployment in
the country. Government security forces have been called out in force to quell
the protests
Truck drivers and shopkeepers in the central Iranian city also
protested the day before. Security forces were also present at the earlier
demonstration, but did not disrupt the event or attack the protesters.
The protesters in Isfahan shouted "Reza Shah, may your
soul be glad," referring to the founder of the previous Pahlavi dynasty.
Reza Shah's son, Muhammad Reza Shah, was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic
Revolution.
Iran's dire economic
situation has brought
thousands of protesters to the streets over the past several months. Following
the withdrawal of the United States from the 2015 six-country nuclear deal with
Iran, international businesses have been wary of investing in the Islamic Republic
for fear of running afoul of renewed American sanctions. The Iranian currency,
the rial, has also experienced significant devaluation, which is disrupting
business by driving up the cost of imports.
Demonstrators have also protested the government's extensive
military and financial investment in the ongoing conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and
Iran's support for Hamas.
