Ever since July 15, there have been protests against severe water shortages in the southwestern province of Khuzestan in Iran.
The comments expresses the writer’s opinions.
The province is an oil-rich province, but at the same time quite overlooked and marginalized by the state.
Iran is experiencing the worst drought in 50 years. But at the same time, the province’s biggest problem is poor governance. The state has more or less emptied the water reservoirs in the area – and for its own gain built too many dams.
This has led to many rivers now drying out.
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Lack of water creates problems
Khuzestan province is one of the hottest places in Iran. Lack of water also leads to lack of electricity. The situation is critical for farmers and for animal husbandry. Many have now taken to the streets in protest. The protests have been supported by a number of Iranians both inside and outside Iran.
As usual, the authorities respond with repression and violence.
According to Amnesty International, at least 10 people have been killed so far because the government is firing on protesters. The internet connection has also been closed in Khuzestan for periods.
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Shoots sharply at the “troublemakers”
The last time the government shut down the internet was during the protests in 2019, in which 1,500 protesters were shot and killed by the security service, according to Reuters.
Some government officials in Iran have called for solutions, while a good number of extremists have called the protesters troublemakers.
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The people are protesting against the injustice
The protests that started due to lack of water have so far led to protests in various cities and provinces in Iran where protesters shout “Death to the dictator” and “Down with the Islamic regime”.
Protesters have also shouted the name of the father of the Shah of Iran. Reza Shah | is considered by many to be the “father” of modern Iran, where educational institutions and infrastructure were first established in the country.
The protests have led to headlines around the world. Last week, when the unrest reached the capital Tehran, “Death to the dictator” was shouted.
Of course, the security services have been sent to arrest, intimidate or shoot at protesters.
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It is unclear whether these protests will overthrow the regime. The clergy are in an unparalleled crisis. Negotiations on a nuclear deal have stalled after the sixth attempt in Vienna, due to the new government to be formed this week.
This week, the new extreme president, Ibrahim Raisi inserted. He is a controversial figure, since he has been linked to the death commissions in the 80s – where about 5,000 political prisoners were executed.
Also read: – I met the President of Iran in a torture chamber. I was very pregnant
Sanctions and corona
The sanctions are stifling Iran. What is worst is the poor management of the coronary crisis, which is now in its fifth wave of infection.
According to the AP, Iran registered 37,189 new Covid 19 patients on Monday, which is the highest number of infections since the start of the pandemic. 411 deaths in one day have been reported. The death toll is now 91,407 – the highest in the entire Middle East.
(Kilde: Iran reports highest daily number of COVID cases since pandemic began | The Times of Israel)
Here you can read more posts by Mina Bai.
All power in a few hands
The biggest problem, however, is the leader, Ali Khamenei, which has all the power and refuses to accommodate the people’s desire to accept an agreement with the West now that the current president of the United States wants to restore the nuclear agreement.
With a new extreme president, directly supported by him, parliament has now granted a new law to block foreign internet.
Experts predict that this – if possible – will make Iran even more isolated, and the country will become more and more similar to China or North Korea.
At least the future does not look bright for Iran.
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