PROTESTS CONTINUE TO RAGE IN IRAN, KURDISH STUDENT’S DEATH ADDS TO TENSIONS

Iran’s seven week long protests continued to rage across the country after the death of a 22-year-old woman while in “morality police” custody in September, and intensified in the northwestern region of the country after the death of a Kurdish student.

Nasrin Ghaderi was reportedly beaten by Iran’s security forces in Tehran during protests and died after falling into a coma. Ghaderi, 35, was studying for a doctorate in philosophy, according to DW.com. 

Earlier last week, protests broke out in the country after mourning ceremonies for those who died in the protests where security forces opened fire. At least 300 people, including 41 children, have died in these protests. 

Four police officers were killed in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan Province, according to Radio Free Europe. There was not much information on the killings, but they occurred at a police station along the Iranshahr-Bampour highway.

On Saturday, Iranian students, once again, took to the streets along with shopkeepers to lash out at the government crackdown. Some of the protesters could be heard shouting, “I am a free woman, you are the pervert.”

The protest occurred after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said cities were “safe and sound.”

He said Washington had failed in its effort to create another 2011 Arab uprising. 

The Trends Journal has reported extensively on these protests. (See, “IRANIAN PROTESTS CONTINUE TO ESCALATE,” “IRANIAN OIL WORKERS JOIN STRIKE AFTER DEATH OF 22-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IN POLICE CUSTODY” and “IRAN: PROTESTS ESCALATE”).

Mahsa Amini, a 22 year old, died while in “morality police” custody in September for allegedly not abiding by the country’s dress code. We’ve noted that these protests are focused on her death, but grew to include aggravation over the lack of basic living standards and dissatisfaction with the government rule and a faltering economy. (See “NEW STUDY CEMENTS TRENDS JOURNAL FORECAST: THE NEW WORLD DISORDER.”)

The World Bank announced that Iran’s economic growth will hit just 2.9 percent in 2023, which is about 0.8 percent lower than what was previously believed. The International Monetary Fund said Iran’s economy will experience growth of about 3 percent this year and 2023, Iran Wire reported. 

Amini’s Death

The “crime” that Amini committed was that she was not properly wearing her hijab in public.

She was arrested on 13 September and reports indicate that she was badly beaten while in custody. She fell into a coma and died three days later. Some photos circulated online purporting to show Amini in the hospital with serious bruises to her face. 

Iran said she died of a heart attack and that her death was from natural causes. The country also denied killing the student who died after slipping into a coma, insisting that she had a heart condition.

TREND FORECAST: “It’s the economy, stupid.” 

When the vast majority is making money, moving up and living higher, there is less concern about government control.

Therefore, the deeper Iran’s economy sinks, the greater the protests will escalate. Iran’s rial hit an historic low against the U.S. dollar on Saturday. The cost of food has risen by over 100 percent since last year and inflation is running at around 50 percent annually. 

The protests in Iran will show no signs of slowing and social media has given these protesters a voice they did not have in 2011. Video emerged online that showed members of Iran’s national beach soccer team refusing to sing the Islamic Republic’s anthem before its game during the UAE Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup. Iran’s state TV stopped its live broadcast, reports said. 

Young people could also be seen knocking the turbans off of the heads of men walking in the country in an act of defiance. We’ve noted that the West wants to avoid coming out too strongly in favor of the protests so Tehran has a harder time blaming outside influence. 

And, remember, as Gerald Celente says, “When all else fails, they take you to war.” And, with the newly elected anti-Iranian Israeli government now in charge, the war drums will be beating louder. 
The Trends Journal has long reported on the clandestine war between Israel and Iran that seems to be picking up pace after a massive Israeli drill over the Mediterranean earlier this year. (See “SPOTLIGHT ON ISRAEL,” “ISRAEL HOLDS MILITARY EXERCISE TO STRIKE IRAN,” “IRAN NUKE DEAL: U.S. VS. ISRAEL” and “IRAN’S MISSILES STRIKE ‘RETALIATORY,’ HITS ISRAEL TARGET.”)