2018 Iranian protest movement

Protests occurred in the 2017-2018 Iranian protests and massive protests and opposition strikes, rallies and demonstrations occurred as well, starting in Mashhad and spread nationwide due to the price of eggs, Inflation, soaring prices for food and water and gas and many more issues. The civilians again had had enough of the conditions.

Protests and nationwide trucker demonstrations and public driver strikes was the initial protests and revolt against state-led propaganda and lying to drivers over paid wages. Anger over unchanged transportation fees and increased costs, protests erupted and truckers relaunched nationwide and countrywide demonstrations calling for the government to note their main and focal opposition demands. Hundreds of mill workers reportedly took to the streets while Rail workers were on strike in August as well.{{cite web|title=Iranian Truck Drivers Launch a New Round of Nationwide Strikes|date=26 July 2018|agency=NCR-Iran|url=https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/iranian-truck-drivers-launch-a-new-round-of-nationwide-strikes/}}{{cite web|title=Rail Workers Strike Over Unpaid Wages Continues|date=8 August 2018|agency=NCR-Iran|url=https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/rail-workers-strike-over-unpaid-wages-continues/}}{{Better source needed|reason=NCRI is not a realiable source.|date=January 2022}}

September

On 11 September 2018, shopkeepers in Iranian Kurdistan initiated a one-day strike in response to the missile attack by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps on the headquarters of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran, and the execution of Ramin Panahi and two other Kurd activists. In response to the strikes, the security forces arrested five Kurdish activists.

On 22 September 2018, truckers across several Iranian cities restarted their strikes against the rising expenses of their jobs.{{cite web|url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/iran-truck-drivers-strike/4583787.html|title=کامیون‌داران در ایران بار دیگر دست به اعتصاب زدند|website=Voice of America|date=23 September 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018}} On 26 September, the strikes continued and were seen in Ahvaz, Qazvin, Shahreza, Borujerd, and Urmia.{{cite web|url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/iran-protest-truck/4588098.html|title=افزایش اعتصاب کامیون‌داران در شهرهای ایران در روز چهارشنبه|website=Voice of America|date=26 September 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018}} 40 to 70 truckers in Fars, Tehran, and Qazvin province were arrested on 27 September, as strikes continued into their fifth day.{{cite web|url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/iran-protest-truk-driver/4591139.html|title=بازداشت دهها نفر از کامیون‌داران به خاطر اعتصاب سراسری|website=Voice of America|date=28 September 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran_strike_truck_drivers_arresting/29512909.html|title=ادامه اعتصاب کامیون‌داران؛ حدود ۴۰ تن بازداشت شدند|website=رادیو فردا|date=27 September 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018 |last1=فردا |first1=رادیو }} The Free Truckers Union announced that the strike had spread to 31 provinces across the country. The judiciary stated that those arrested could face the death penalty.{{cite web|url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/iran-truck-drivers-protest-strick/4591698.html|title=اتهام سنگین علیه کامیون‌دارانی که اعتصاب کردند و بازداشت شدند؛ احتمال صدور حکم اعدام|website=Voice of America|date=28 September 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018}} On 29 September, on the eight day of the strikes, the number of truckers arrested reached 89.{{cite web|url=https://www.hra-news.org/2018/hranews/a-17206/|title=هشتمین روز از دور جدید اعتصاب سراسری کامیون‌داران؛ شمار بازداشت‌شدگان به دستکم 89 تن رسید/ ویدئو – خبرگزاری هرانا|website=Hra-news.org|date=29 September 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018}}

October

On 1 October, the truckers strikes reached their 10th straight day and were seen in Bukan, Khosrowshah, Arak, Fooladshahr, Nishapur, Tiran, Takestan, Kermanshah, Sanandaj, Qazvin, Karaj, Bandar Abbas, Ardabil, Dezful, Yazd, and Najafabad. The number of arrested also reached 156.{{cite web|url=https://www.hra-news.org/2018/hranews/a-17238/|title=دهمین روز از دور جدید اعتصاب سراسری کامیون‌داران؛ افزایش شمار بازداشت‌شدگان به دستکم 156 تن/ ویدئو – خبرگزاری هرانا|website=Hra-news.org|date=October 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/iran-protest-truk-driver/4594676.html|title=ادامه اعتصاب کامیون‌داران در چند شهر ایران با وجود بازداشت و برخورد امنیتی|website=Voice of America|date=October 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018}} By the 13th straight day of the strike over 230 truckers were arrested.{{cite web|url=https://www.radiozamaneh.com/414783|title=#اعتراضات: سیزدهمین روز اعتصاب: ۲۳۸ راننده کامیون بازداشت شدند – رادیو زمانه|date=5 October 2018|website=Radiozamaneh.com|access-date=22 November 2018}} The strikes continued into 8 October, and reached their 17th consecutive day. Security forces responded by arresting a number of truckers, which increased the number of people arrested to 256.{{cite web|url=https://www.hra-news.org/2018/hranews/a-17350/|title=هفدهمین روز از دور جدید اعتصاب سراسری کامیون‌داران؛ افزایش شمار بازداشت‌شدگان به دست‌کم 256 تن/ ویدئو – خبرگزاری هرانا|website=Hra-news.com|date=8 October 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018}} On the same day, Bazaars in multiple cities across Iran closed their shops and went on strike in protest to the economic situation. Strikes were seen in Sanandaj, Bukan, Saqqez, Marivan, Baneh, Miandoab, Tehran, Isfahan, Mashhad, Tabriz, and Chabahar.{{cite news|url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran_strike_market-bazar/29532017.html|title=اعتصاب بازاریان در برخی از شهرهای ایران|website=رادیو فردا|date=8 October 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018 |last1=فردا |first1=رادیو }}{{cite web|url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/iran-protest-bazar/4604143.html|title=اعتصاب دوباره بازاریان در ایران؛ از تهران و تبریز تا سنندج و چابهار|website=Voice of America|date=8 October 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018}} The strikes continued into 9 October, although they were reduced in size from the previous day, and were seen in Tabriz, Shahriar, Shahreza, and Sanandaj.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-45796854|title=دومین روز اعتصاب‌ها در برخی از شهرهای ایران|date=9 October 2018|access-date=22 November 2018|publisher=BBC}}

On 13 October 2018, teachers across Iran started a two-day nationwide strike in protest to high expenses and inflation.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-45855658|title=تحصن معلمان در شهرهای مختلف در اعتراض به گرانی و تورم در ایران|date=14 October 2018|access-date=22 November 2018|publisher=BBC}} Teachers in Tehran, Mashhad, Tabriz, Isfahan, Shiraz, Kermanshah, Ilam, Yasuj, Sanandaj, Simorgh, Hamedan, Amol, Zarrin Shahr, Gonabad, Eslamabad, Torbat-e Heydarieh, Marivan, Sarvabad, and Garmeh, went on strike.{{cite news|url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran-teachers-sit-in-protest/29542690.html|title=آغاز تحصن معلمان در چندین شهر ایران|website=رادیو فردا|date=14 October 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018 |last1=فردا |first1=رادیو }}{{cite web |title=Strike of teachers in some Iranian cities |url=http://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-45857774 |publisher=BBC Persian |access-date=14 October 2018 |language=fa |date=14 October 2018}} At least two teachers were arrested on the first day of the strike.

Teachers went on strike for a second day on 14 October.{{cite news|url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iranian-teachers-strike/29544022.html|title=ادامه تحصن معلمان و بازداشت یک مسئول صنفی فرهنگیان|website=رادیو فردا|date=15 October 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018 |last1=فردا |first1=رادیو }}

November

On 1 November 2018, truckers in Tehran, Zanjan, Isfahan, Asaluyeh, Nahavand, and Shahrud went on strike for the fourth time this year in protest to the arrest of hundreds of truckers in October.{{cite web|url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/iran-truck-driver-protest/4638580.html|title=کامیون‌داران ایران این‌بار در اعتراض به بازداشت همکاران‌شان اعتصاب کردند|website=Voice of America|date=November 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018}} Workers from several factories in Iran have been on constant strikes due to unpaid wages and inflation. On 2 November 2018, workers at the Haft Tappeh Cane Sugar Company's factory in Shush start their own strikes.

On 13 and 14 November, Iranian teachers in most provinces went on strike for the second time in 2018.{{cite web |title=Iranian teachers went on strike for the second time |url=https://www.radiozamaneh.com/419559 |website=Radio Zamaneh |date=13 November 2018 |access-date=13 November 2018 |language=fa}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hra-news.org/2018/hranews/a-17799/https://www.hra-news.org/2018/hranews/a-17799/|title=دومین دور تحصن سراسری معلمان؛ گزارشی از روز نخست تحصن معلمان در اعتراض به مشکلات صنفی/ تصاویر – خبرگزاری هرانا|website=Hra-news.com|date=13 November 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018}} Thirteen teachers were arrested during this strike.

On 15 November, the workers strikes escalated and protests spilled onto the streets of Shush.{{cite web|url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/iran-labors-rights/4659636.html|title=تجمع کارگران نیشکر هفت تپه: نه تهدید، نه زندان، دیگر اثر ندارد|website=Voice of America|date=15 November 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018}} Some workers in Shush called for the factory to be operated by a workers council.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-46246868|title=تظاهرات گسترده در شوش در حمایت از کارگران هفت‌تپه|date=17 November 2018|access-date=22 November 2018|publisher=BBC}} The following day, the workers disrupted the Friday Prayer service of the city. They chanted "Hossein, Hossein is their cry, theft is their pride", "Death to oppressors, long live workers", and "Workers are willing to die, but will not accept oppression".{{cite news|url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/hat-tapes-shoush-friday-prayer/29604557.html|title=حضور اعتراضی کارگران نیشکر هفت تپه در نماز جمعه شوش|website=رادیو فردا|date=16 November 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018 |last1=فردا |first1=رادیو }}{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-46237413|title=اعتراض کارگران هفت تپه به نماز جمعه کشید|date=16 November 2018|access-date=22 November 2018|publisher=BBC}} Protests continued in the streets of Shush on 17 November, despite the presence of the security forces and riot police.{{cite web|url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/iran-labors-rights/4662842.html|title=تجمع کارگران نیشکر هفت تپه و خانواده هایشان مقابل فرمانداری شوش|website=Voice of America|date=17 November 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018}}

On the same day, hundreds of workers of the Foolad Company in Ahvaz protested in front of the Governor's office. Protestors in Ahvaz chanted "Let go of Kashoggi, think of us", and "Inflation, increasing prices, be responsible Rouhani". On 18 November, nineteen protestors were arrested in Shush.{{cite web|url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/iran-labors-rights/4664461.html|title=بازداشت ۱۹ نفر در تجمع کارگران "نیشکر هفت تپه" شوش؛ تجمع روز دوشنبه دادگاه را به تعویق انداخت|website=صدای آمریکا|date=19 November 2018 |access-date=21 February 2019}} By 21 November, thirteen of the protesters in Shush were released from prison, the arrested protestors faced charges of "acting against the regime". On 24 November, workers joined by ordinary citizens, protested in Ahvaz and clashed with the security forces.{{cite web|url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/iran-labors-rights/4672118.html|title=تجمعات اعتراضی کارگران گروه ملی فولاد اهواز و هفت تپه ادامه یافت؛ حضور یگان ویژه در اهواز|website=صدای آمریکا|date=24 November 2018 |access-date=21 February 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-46327868|title=تظاهرات در اهواز؛ کارگران شرکت فولاد در خیابان‌ها شعارهای اعتراضی سر دادند|date=24 November 2018|access-date=21 February 2019|publisher=BBC}} On the same day, workers of the vegetable oil factory of Zanjan protested in front of the governor's office in Zanjan due to unpaid wages.{{cite web|url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/iran-labor-protest/4672376.html|title=کارگران معترض روغن نباتی جهان مقابل استانداری زنجان تجمع کردند|website=صدای آمریکا|date=24 November 2018 |access-date=21 February 2019}} On 28 November, workers protested for the 24th consecutive day in Shush, despite the city's police commander stating that any gatherings were against the law. Protests occurred in Ahvaz on the same day, as thousands of workers took to the streets.{{cite web|url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/protest-labours/4678127.html|title=ادامه اعتراض‌های کارگران در خوزستان؛ حضور هزاران معترض در مرکز شهر اهواز|website=صدای آمریکا|date=28 November 2018 |access-date=21 February 2019}}

On 18 November 2018 Workers Syndicate at the Haft Tappeh sugar mill in Iran's Khuzestan province announced that the security forces had arrested two of their representatives, Esmail Bakhshi and Mohsen Armand.{{cite web|url=https://iran-hrm.com/index.php/2018/11/18/workers-representatives-arrested-at-haft-tappeh-sugar-mill-strike/|title=Workers' representatives arrested at Haft Tappeh sugar mill strike|date=18 November 2018|website=Iran-hrm.com|access-date=21 February 2019}} The syndicate also announced that on 29 November 2018 government forces arrested its senior member Ali Nejati in his house.

December

On 4 December, workers in Ahvaz protested for the 25th straight day, and chanted "Palestine and Syria are the root of our problems".{{cite news|url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran_ahwaz_workers_steel_factory/29636678.html|title=اعتصاب کارگران فولاد ۲۵ روزه شد: "فلسطین، سوریه/ عامل بدبختیه"|website=رادیو فردا|date=4 December 2018 |access-date=21 February 2019 |last1=فردا |first1=رادیو }} On 17 December, the security forces cracked-down and arrested 31 workers in Ahvaz whom they identified as the leaders of the protests. The day before workers had gathered in Ahvaz and declared that they would take their protest to the capital Tehran, if their demands were not met.{{cite web|url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/iran-labors-rights/4702742.html|title=کارگران معترض فولاد اهواز: مشکلات حل نشود در تهران تجمع می کنیم|website=صدای آمریکا|date=16 December 2018 |access-date=21 February 2019}} On 13 December, Ali Nejati, was transferred to hospital, after long and distressing interrogations.{{cite web|url=https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-trade-union-labor-leader-hospitalized-nejati/29657656.html|title=Prominent Labor Leader Hospitalized After Interrogation|website=RFE/RL|date=15 December 2018 |access-date=21 February 2019}}

On 18 December, a lone protester on the island of Kish, stood in front of the main square of the city and graffitied anti-regime and pro-worker slogans, which included: "Imprisoned workers must be freed", and "long live the Shah".{{cite web|url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran-protester-writes-long-live-shah-in-kish/29662958.html|title=شعار جاویدشاه در اعتراض به حبس کارگران فولاد|access-date=21 February 2019|website=Radiofarda.com|date=18 December 2018 }} On 18 and 19 December 2018 the security forces stormed the houses of Foolad workers in Khuzestan province and arrested up to 41 workers.[http://www.arabnews.com/node/1423181/middle-east Anger in Iran after police arrest striking workers in overnight raids]{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-46603616|title=بازداشت کارگران معترض فولاد اهواز ادامه دارد|date=18 December 2018|access-date=21 February 2019|publisher=BBC}}{{cite news|url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/arrest-of-ten-more-workers-in-ahwaz-iran/29662789.html|title=ادامه بازداشت کارگران فولاد اهواز:‌ شمار بازداشتی‌ها به "۴۱ تن" رسید|website=رادیو فردا|date=18 December 2018 |access-date=21 February 2019 |last1=فردا |first1=رادیو }}

15 workers at Ilam Petrochemical Plant in central western Iran were convicted to six months' imprisonment and 74 lashes by a state court after they gathered in protest outside the factory for their fellow experienced workers being laid off. The court charged them with "disrupting public order and peace".{{cite web|url=https://irannewswire.org/iran-sentences-15-ilam-petrochemical-workers-to-74-lashes-for-striking/|title=Iran sentences 15 Ilam Petrochemical workers to 74 lashes for strike|date=7 December 2018|website=Irannewswire.org|access-date=21 February 2019}}

On 21 December, truck drivers across the country started their fifth round of nationwide strikes in protest to inflation and rising expenses.{{cite web|url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/iran-truck-driver-protest/4711987.html|title=آغاز دور جدید اعتصاب سراسری کامیون‌داران در ایران|website=صدای آمریکا|date=22 December 2018 |access-date=21 February 2019}}

On 27 December 2018 Security forces attacked with tear gas a teachers gathering outside the education office in Isfahan, central Iran. Teachers were protesting their low salary and the arrest of their colleagues who were now in jail.{{cite web|url=https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-police-use-tear-gas-against-protesting-teachers/29679580.html|title=Police Use Tear Gas Against Teachers Protesting in Isfahan|website=RFE/RL|date=27 December 2018 |access-date=21 February 2019}}

• 2018 protests in Iran
• 2019 protests in Iran

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Category:2018 in Iran

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Category:2018 protests

Category:Protests in Iran