Ongoing campaign of protests
In May 2022, ongoing protests in Iran escalated into nationwide civil unrest [ 5] as a result of government price hikes on staple foods including bread and pasta .[ 6] [ 7] The protests were part of a countrywide wave of protests beginning in July 2021. Protests were initially concentrated in the drought-stricken province of Khuzestan ,[ 8] but rapidly spread nationwide. Authorities responded by declaring riot control action[ 9] and blocking internet access .[ 10]
Prior to the start of the demonstrations, preceding and during International Workers' Day on 1 May, Iran preemptively detained 38 teachers[ 11] in order to stymie planned nationwide protests during National Teachers' Day on 2 May. Workers' protests had increased over the past year as the result of a deterioration in living conditions caused by the re-imposition of US sanctions against Iran during the administration of Donald Trump and the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic .[ 12] After the Iranian government ended subsidies for imported wheat, the price of flour soared by around 500%,[ 13] exacerbating current inflation , which hovered around 50%.[ 14]
The protests, beginning on 6 May in Khuzestan,[ 15] were initially associated with the rising cost of living . However, they rapidly escalated into anti-Mullah demonstrations. Ranchers in at least 10 cities allegedly staged demonstrations at offices of the Iranian Agricultural Ministry , with pensioners participating in similar demonstrations.[ 8] Large scale demonstrations reportedly broke out in the city of Dezful ,[ 8] and reportedly spread into the cities of Khafajia , Hawizeh , and Shiraz .[ 16]
^ "The Ebrahim Raisi government just jacked up food prices. Iranians are understandably angry" . Atlantic Council. 12 May 2022. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022 .
^ Scollon, Michael, "As Bread Costs Skyrocket In Iran, So Does The Risk Of Social Unrest" , Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty , Radio Free Europe, archived from the original on 14 May 2022, retrieved 14 May 2022
^ Bloody protests in Iran are not just about food prices , 18 May 2022
^ More footage of the Basij base takeover by angry protesters. , 12 May 2022, archived from the original on 13 May 2022, retrieved 14 May 2022
^ Soaring Bread Prices Trigger Street Protests In Iran , Radio Free Europe, 12 May 2022, archived from the original on 14 May 2022, retrieved 14 May 2022
^ Iran Prepares for Protests Amid Fears of Nuclear Negotiations Failure , Al-Awsat, 5 May 2022, archived from the original on 11 May 2022, retrieved 14 May 2022 .
^ Iran raises prices of food staples, stirring panic and anger , Associated Press (published 12 May 2022), 12 May 2022, archived from the original on 15 May 2022, retrieved 14 May 2022
^ a b c "Protests Ignite In Southern Iran Against Government Price Hikes" . Iran International . Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022 .
^ "The Ebrahim Raisi government just jacked up food prices. Iranians are understandably angry" . Atlantic Council . 12 May 2022. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022 .
^ "Iran Protesters at Risk of Lethal State Violence" . Center for Human Rights in Iran . 12 May 2022. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022 .
^ "Iran: Release Detained Teacher Activists" . Human Rights Watch . 5 May 2022. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022 .
^ main (29 April 2022). "A Statistical Look at the Situation of Iranian Workers over the Past Year" . Hrana . Archived from the original on 30 April 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022 .
^ Scollon, Michael. "As Bread Costs Skyrocket In Iran, So Does The Risk Of Social Unrest" . RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty . Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022 .
^ Motamedi, Maziar. "Nuclear talks: Iran's Raisi launches major economic reform" . Al Jazeera . Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022 .
^ "Khuzestan Protests: Fears of Another Bloody Crackdown" . Center for Human Rights in Iran . 9 May 2022. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022 .
^ "Protests in Khuzestan; Iranian forces arrest 50 people – ANHA" . Hawar News . Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022 .