The issue of power and water outages has become a serious problem in Iran for some time now. Electricity is being cut off for hours across all regions and cities. Water shortages have also placed significant pressure on the people.
Power cuts have not only disrupted daily life but have caused significant damage to household appliances and small businesses. More importantly, the blackouts, combined with the scorching summer heat and the inability to use basic cooling devices, have led to physical harm. Alarming reports have emerged of people suffering cardiac arrests and being hospitalized.
“Water, electricity, life — these are our basic rights” is the outcry echoing across society in response to the electricity and water crisis.
Today, on August 4, a group of shopkeepers from the Tanakora market in Sanandaj marched to the local electricity department to protest repeated blackouts. Protesters stated: “These outages have destroyed our business — there are no customers, and no official is held accountable.”
Daily blackouts, especially during peak business hours, have forced shops to close, increased operating costs, and fueled widespread dissatisfaction in the marketplace. Shopkeepers have warned that if the situation continues, many of them will be forced to shut down entirely.
Yesterday, on August 3, residents of Mahabad also gathered in protest against repeated power cuts, blocking the road from Mamousta Hejar Square to the Tanakora area.
Protest Gatherings by Official Oil Workers in Various Regions
At 8 a.m. on Sunday, August 3, official oil workers staged protests over salary cuts, skyrocketing inflation, and imposed salary caps. They gathered to demand action on their grievances. The workers have declared Mondays as their official nationwide protest days and stated they will continue demonstrating until their demands are addressed.
According to reports, protests took place in the following locations:
- Pars Oil and Gas Company (POGC),
- 40 offshore platforms of POGC,
- South Pars Gas Complex (SPGC),
- 10th Refinery,
- Pars Oil and Gas Company in Asaluyeh (Site 1),
- 12th Refinery,
- Pars Special Economic Energy Zone (PSEEZ),
- 11th Refinery,
- 1st Refinery.
The key demands of the official oil workers include:
- Removal of the salary cap,
- Adjustment and increase of minimum wages,
- Removal of retirement bonus caps and inclusion of service years beyond 30 in the oil industry,
- Implementation of Article 10 and payment of related arrears.
Retired Educators’ Protest – 2021 Cohort
On Sunday, August 3, retired educators gathered outside the Parliament and the Planning and Budget Organization to protest low pensions and the non-payment of ranking-related arrears. Protesters chanted: “Wealthy Iran! What has become of you?”
According to the retirees, 46 months have passed, yet half of their ranking arrears remain unpaid. In their July payslips, 59% of the arrears were listed and even deductions applied — but no payments were actually made.
Protest by Imported Truck Drivers
On August 2 and 3, a group of imported truck drivers and owners gathered outside the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade in Tehran to protest the government’s failure to release their trucks from customs. Protesters chanted:
“Awake drivers / Are fed up with oppression and injustice!”
“If we don’t get our rights, we won’t stay silent!”
Farmers of Zabol
On August 3, a group of farmers in Zabol protested outside the governor’s office over the drastic reduction of fuel quotas for their tractors. The farmers said:
“In the peak of the farming season, with such a low fuel quota, we can’t even keep the tractors running for a few days.”