2022 Iranian food protests

2022 Iran Regime Protests
Part of 2021–2022 Iranian protests
Date6 May 2022 – 15 September 2022
Location
Iran
Caused by
Goals
MethodsDemonstrations, food riot
Resulted inProtests spilled over into the larger Mahsa Amini protests
Parties
Iranian demonstrators
Lead figures

Non-centralized leadership

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]

  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ Bloody protests in Iran are not just about food prices, 18 May 2022
  4. ^ 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
  5. ^ 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
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ "Iran: Release Detained Teacher Activists". Human Rights Watch. 5 May 2022. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ "Protests in Khuzestan; Iranian forces arrest 50 people – ANHA". Hawar News. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.