A fresh wave of anti-regime protests is sweeping across Iran, fueled by severe electricity shortages and mounting public anger over government mismanagement. Demonstrations erupted this week in multiple provinces, underscoring the growing fragility of the Islamic Republic’s grip on power.
In Zahedshahr, Fars Province, protesters gathered outside a government building, blocking major roads and chanting slogans denouncing the regime’s failure to provide basic services. Videos circulating on social media show crowds confronting security forces as frustration over power outages spills into the streets.
Earlier, in the northern city of Babolsar, Mazandaran Province, residents staged several days of demonstrations, demanding immediate relief from crippling shortages of electricity, water, and fuel. Local reports describe scenes of widespread discontent, with citizens accusing authorities of systemic corruption and gross incompetence.
The protests highlight a deeper crisis of legitimacy for Iran’s ruling establishment. Years of economic decline, compounded by U.S. sanctions and internal mismanagement, have left millions struggling to access essential goods and services. Analysts warn that the current wave of unrest could escalate into one of the most significant challenges the Islamic Republic has faced in recent years.
For now, security forces have responded with heightened patrols and sporadic crackdowns, but the grievances fueling these demonstrations show no signs of easing. “People are tired of living in darkness—both literally and figuratively,” one activist said in an interview posted online.
Observers say the growing unrest could further weaken—and potentially paralyze—the regime in the months ahead, raising questions about its ability to maintain control amid mounting social and economic pressures.
