Iran Erupts in New Protests After Latest Executions

Iranwire – In a dramatic response to Friday morning’s executions of the detained protesters Saleh Mirhashemi, Majid Kazemi and Saeed Yaqoubi, outraged Iranians have flooded the streets of several cities, igniting widespread protests against the Islamic Republic.

Tehran, the nation’s capital, witnessed powerful demonstrations as protesters assembled in various locations, including Sattar Khan Street, Tehran Pars, and Ekbatan Town. 

Social media reports suggest that the gathering on Sattar Khan Street erupted after a woman was accosted for her choice of attire, leading to confrontations between citizens and the instigator.

Videos circulating on social media depict impassioned protesters chanting fervent slogans, such as “Death to Khamenei the Zahak,” referring to a mythical king said to have fed serpents growing out of his shoulders with young people’s brains, and “If we don’t stand united, we’ll perish one by one.” 

🎥 شهروندان تهرانی در ستارخان تجمع کرده و شعار مرگ بر خامنه‌ای ضحاک سر دادند. جمعه ۲۹ اردیبهشت#خانه_اصفهان #شهروندخبرنگار #مهسا_امینی pic.twitter.com/FJ2jqwDwdM— ایران وایر (@iranwire) May 19, 2023

Isfahan, the city where the executions took place, also saw intense protests. Demonstrators chanted “Death to the dictator!” and “Death to Khamenei!” to voice their condemnation of the regime’s actions.

Additional footage from Gohardasht and Karaj shows citizens rallying against “poverty, corruption, high prices; we will overthrow them.” The videos reflect the mounting frustration and demands for change of the Iranian people.

🎥 در واکنش به اعدام متهمان پرونده #خانه_اصفهان، معترضان در این شهر به خیابان ها آمده و فریاد مرگ بر دیکتاتور سر دادند. ۲۹ اردیبهشت#شهروندخبرنگار #مهسا_امینی pic.twitter.com/BhMweeejbZ— ایران وایر (@iranwire) May 19, 2023

Reports and video evidence have also emerged of the courageous act of chanting slogans against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei within the homes of the executed men. 

This bold display of dissent further exemplifies the deep-rooted grievances and widespread opposition to the government.

🎥 اعتراضات مردمی به سیاست سرکوب و اعدام جمهوری اسلامی در اصفهان و در شامگاه ۲۹ اردیبهشت ادامه دارد. در این ویدیو، زنی اصفهانی همشهریان خود را به پیوستن به اعتراضات فرا می‌خواند.#خانه_اصفهان #اعتراضات_سراسری #شهروندخبرنگار #مهسا_امینی pic.twitter.com/XSFMv5AggG— ایران وایر (@iranwire) May 19, 2023

The latest outbreak of protests was provoked when security forces of the Islamic Republic clandestinely buried Saleh Mirhashemi, Majid Kazemi, and Saeed Yaqoubi in three separate undisclosed locations within Isfahan province, deliberately keeping them far apart. 

The judiciary’s website announced that Majid Kazemi, 30, Saleh Mirhashemi, 36, and Saeed Yaqoubi, 37, were executed at dawn on May 19 in Dastgerd prison in the central city of Isfahan. 

🎥 اعتراضات خیابانی علیه اعدام معترضان در ایران در حال گسترش است و معترضان در گوهردشت کرج نیز به خیابان‌ها آمده و فریاد سرنگونی سر دادند. ۲۹ اردیبهشت#خانه_اصفهان #اعتراضات_سراسری #شهروندخبرنگار #مهسا_امینی pic.twitter.com/QcxsBzGRHQ— ایران وایر (@iranwire) May 19, 2023

Iranian authorities have cracked down hard on months-long nationwide protests sparked by the September death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody.

More than 520 people were killed during demonstrations and over 20,000 others were unlawfully detained, activists say. Following biased trials, the judiciary has handed down stiff sentences, including the death penalty, to protesters.

شهرک اکباتان
مرگ بر دیکتاتور#مهسا_امینی#خانه_اصفهان pic.twitter.com/dT5qU9Dpso— شهرک اکباتان (@shahrak_ekbatan) May 19, 2023

The demonstrations have subsided in recent weeks, but there are still sporadic acts of defiance, including the refusal of a growing number of women to wear the mandatory head covering in public places.