Protests Over Food Price Hikes Spread Across Iran

Street protests began on May 9 in Khuzestan over shock food price hikes announced by the government. On May 10, a man in Ahvaz, the provincial capital city, was recorded shouting: "O people come and help Ahvaz, don't leave us alone."

Despite the targeted and extreme internet shutdowns imposed by the state, protesters in Khuzestan have not been alone. Demonstrations have been taking place in Iran's southwestern provinces for at least three days, and on the evening of Friday, May 13, there were also protests in the north of Iran and other parts of the west.

Some videos of protest rallies in Ardebil, northwestern Iran, were posted on social media. IranWire has learned that at least two protesters were arrested there. In one of the videos, security forces can be seen attacking the protesters in a bid to disperse them while those present chant "Villains!".

گزارش‌ها و ویدیوهای منتشر شده از ایران، در روز جمعه ۲۳ اردیبهشت، از کشیده شدن دامنه اعتراضات ضد حکومتی به شهرهای شمال‌غربی کشور حکایت دارند.
در این ویدیو که مربوط به شهر اردبیل است، نیروهای امنیتی با حمله به معترضان سعی در پراکنده کردن آن‌ها دارند.#اخبار_ایران #اعتراضات_سراسری pic.twitter.com/EHEZDQm7bd

— ایران وایر (@iranwire) May 13, 2022

There were also protests in Rasht, the capital of the northern province of Gilan.

To the west in Lorestan, despite the security crackdown and lack of connectivity, there were reports of widespread protests. In the city of Borujerd, one of those present recorded the ubiquitous chant of "Mullahs get lost”.

🎥 با وجود جو شدید امنیتی و اختلال گسترده در اینترنت، تجمعات اعتراضی علیه جمهوری اسلامی در شامگاه جمعه ۲۳ اردیبهشت ۱۴۰۱، نیز ادامه یافت.
در بروجرد استان لرستان معترضان شعار «توپ، تانک، فشفشه، آخوند باید گم بشه» سردادند.#اخبار_ایران #اعتراضات_سراسری pic.twitter.com/g92OlAPa1Q

— ایران وایر (@iranwire) May 13, 2022

In the city of Jooneghan in the southwestern province of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, protesters set fire to a base belonging to the Basij. It was reported that a number of protesters, including the family of the dissident poet and civil rights activist Habib Fadaei, had been arrested in this city.

اعتراضات مردمی به گرانی در روز جمعه ۲۳ اردیبهشت ۱۴۰۱ نیز ادامه پیدا کرده است.
در این ویدیو که گفته می‌شود مربوط به شهر کوچک چلیچه، در استان چهارمحال و بختیاری است معترضان دست به آتش زدن پایگاه بسیج زده‌اند.#اخبار_ایران #اعتراضات_سراسری pic.twitter.com/FyN0bdyJL5

— ایران وایر (@iranwire) May 13, 2022

Continuous shootings could be heard in Dehdasht, Lorestan province in another video posted online. Also on May 13, protesters in Khorramabad, the capital of Lorestan, took to the streets despite the heavy presence of security forces.

🎥 در روز جمعه ۲۳ اردیبهشت ۱۴۰۱، معترضان به حکومت ایران در خرم آباد نیز به خیابان‌ها آمده‌اند. گزارش‌ها از جو سنگین امنیتی در این شهر حکایت دارد. #اخبار_ایران #اعتراضات_سراسری pic.twitter.com/DfiRBY0nNR

— ایران وایر (@iranwire) May 13, 2022

Protestst also continued in Khuzestan on Friday night, with those present in the city of Izeh shouting “Death to Khamenei!” and "Death to Raisi!”. In the city of Andimeshk, Khuzestan, there were as-yet unconfirmed reports that a young man named Omid Soltani had been killed.