Iran: Police use tear gas to disperse protesting teachers in Isfahan Dec. 27

Event

Iranian security forces reportedly used tear gas to disperse protesting teachers outside the Ministry of Education offices in Isfahan on Thursday, December 27. The demonstrations were organized to demand salary increases for teachers and to demand the release of education activists from prison. Additional teacher protests are possible in Isfahan in the coming days and weeks. Heightened security measures and associated traffic disruptions are expected around protest sites.

Context

Teachers in Isfahan have launched demonstrations in over the past two months due to salary and pension grievances, particularly as Iran's currency has significantly devalued in 2018. Protests and strikes have been held in cities throughout Iran since the start of 2018 over water issues, insufficient wages, political prisoners, border closures, political administration issues, poor university administration, and mismanagement of financial institutions. 

Advice

Individuals in Iran, particularly in Isfahan, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.