Chanting “Death to the dictator” and “Leave Syria, think of us,” angry protesters were met with tear gas, according to the Center for Human Rights in Iran (ICHRI).
President Hassan Rouhani won a second term in office this year on the promise of rebuilding the economy. The protesters’ chants, however, reveal some believe Tehran is more focused on external affairs.
Unemployment stands at 12.4 percent, a 1.4 rise over last year, according to the Statistical Centre of Iran.
“The demonstration was illegal, but police confronted them with tolerance,” Mashhad Governor Mohammad Rahim Norouzian said, according to ISNA news agency.
A number of protesters were arrested on charges of damaging public property, according to the governor.
Protests took place in cities and towns in northeastern Iran, including Mashhad and Neyshabour.
The demonstrations come amid growing discontent in Iran’s Kurdish provinces where people have recently protested perceived government failures aiding earthquake victims and attacks on kolbars.
“A new wave of demonstrations in Iran against the regime, as well as growing instances of civil disobedience, are emerging. They are targeting the ‘dictator’ Rouhani, corrupt officials, foreign policies & almost everything the regime stands for. They deserve firm support,” Abdullah Mohtadi, Secretary General of Komala, an Iranian Kurdish party, stated on Twitter.
