Iran: Pro- and anti-government protests continue Jan. 4 /update 10

Event

Iranian TV broadcast images of pro-regime demonstrations on the morning of Thursday, January 4 (local time), as protests continue for the 8th consecutive day. Demonstrations on Thursday were reported in Isfahan (center), Mashhad (northeast), Urmia (northwest), Babol, and Ardabil (north).

Most cities, including the capital Tehran, were relatively calm overnight January 3-4 following large pro-regime demonstrations held on January 3 that attracted tens of thousands of people. On January 3, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were deployed in three provinces to suppress anti-government protests, and later declared success. On Thursday morning, however, the commander of the Iranian army declared that Iranian troops remained prepared to help police forces quell further protests if necessary.

A heavy security presence and additional clashes between security forces and protesters are likely in Iranian cities in the coming days.

Context

Protests against high prices, the state's economic policies, high unemployment, and perceived government corruption have sprung up in many cities across Iran, spreading from demonstrations that first occurred on December 28 in Mashhad. The ongoing protests are considered the largest such demonstrations expressing public dissatisfaction with the economic and sociopolitical status quo since the Green Movement protests of 2009. At least 21 people have been killed and over 1000 others arrested across the country since the protests began on December 28, 2017.

The Iranian economy has generally improved since the country signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known colloquially as the Iran nuclear deal, in 2015. Public frustration has risen in recent months, however, as the JCPOA's promised economic benefits have yet to reach much of the Iranian population.

Advice

Individuals in Iran are advised to strictly avoid all protests and public gatherings, closely monitor the situation, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities. A number of countries are currently advising their citizens against travel to Iran due to the ongoing unrest.