The January 2018 uprising in Iran spread into 31 provinces and 142 cities in the span of two weeks with the slogans, “Death to Khamenei,” “Death to the principle of the velayat-e faqih,” “Reformers, hardliners, the game is now over,” and “Our enemy is right here; they lie to say it is America!”
More than 8,000 people were arrested and 36 people were killed. Eleven of them were martyred under torture.
From June 2018 to June 2019, there have been popular protests and uprisings in 556 cities and 1,354 workers’ protests in 146 cities, industrial centers and business districts.
These included:
Four rounds of major and nationwide strikes by truck drivers in 323 cities.
Three rounds of nationwide strikes by academics in 104 cities and 348 educational centers.
Strikes by bazaar merchants in 12 provinces of Iran.
A 38-day strike, gathering and march by workers of the National Steel Industrial Group (INSIG) in protest against the nonpayment of their salaries and benefits.
A 28-day strike, gathering and march by workers in Haft Tappeh sugar cane factory in Shush, southern Iran, in protest against the privatization of the company and not receiving salaries and benefits for months.
A strike and gathering by railway workers in 35 cities to protest against months of nonpayment of their salaries and benefits.
A strike and gathering by municipal workers in 60 cities to protest against months of nonpayment of their salaries and benefits.
The activities of MEK Resistance Units is a decisive factor in the protests and uprisings against the regime, forcing the regime to acknowledge their role. On April 24, 2019, the Intelligence Director General of East Azerbaijan Province, said, “In 2018, the PMOI’s activity in the country was more than in the past years. One hundred ten people in connection with the PMOI have been dealt with; 60 were identified and arrested, and 50 others were ’warned.’” On April 19, 2019, the Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi announced that “over the past year, 116 team related to the PMOI have been dealt with.”
The Iranian regime, through its media outlets, has acknowledged the role and presence of PMOI/MEK and Resistance Units in Iran:
Fars News Agency, affiliated with IRGC, August 5, 2018: “In the turmoil of January 2018, MEK identified the opportunities and capacities inside the country and formally ordered operations to be launched through Resistance Units. These units consisted of 2 or 5 PMOI members.”
State-run Baharestaneh website, August 28, 2018: “Today, the PMOI have infiltrated in all walks and are conducting them, including truck drivers, bazaar merchants, teachers and workers.”
State-run Baharestaneh website, August 28, 2018: “The PMOI have formed groups called “Resistance Units,” which have the power of reproduction, and the potential and the ability to replace the scene leaders.
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