Welcome again to The Farda Briefing, an RFE/RL publication that tracks the important thing points in Iran and explains why they matter. To subscribe, click on right here.
I am Frud Bezhan, regional desk editor for Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Here is what I have been following and what I am watching out for within the days forward.
The Large Problem
Fewer Iranians have protested on the streets in latest days, greater than three months after the nationwide antiestablishment demonstrations erupted.
From the outset, the authorities responded to the rallies with deadly pressure and mass arrests. However in latest weeks, the federal government has used more and more brutal techniques, together with the general public execution of protesters, in a bid to curb the rallies.
However that has not stopped some Iranians from risking their lives and taking to the streets, particularly within the western Kurdistan area, which has been the epicenter of the demonstrations. Three days of protests and strikes have been held on December 19-21, following a name for motion by protesters.
Extra Iranians have moved their protests to their rooftops and home windows as the danger of arrest and bodily hurt has elevated on the tightly managed streets.
Movies broadly shared on social media seem to indicate protesters shouting from rooftops and home windows late into the night time in main Iranian cities in latest weeks. The apply is just not new however has grow to be extra widespread lately.
Why It Issues: In the course of the protests, Iranians have discovered new and inventive methods to proceed the demonstrations. Apart from resorting to shouting antiestablishment slogans at night time from their rooftops and home windows, some protesters have turned to protest artwork and graffiti.
Whereas much less harmful, these protesting from their properties aren’t utterly protected. Safety forces have shot at and damaged the home windows of residence buildings the place residents have chanted antiestablishment slogans. Safety personnel have additionally broken automobiles parked exterior these residential buildings.
What’s Subsequent: These acts of dissent are prone to proceed and enhance as the federal government clampdown intensifies. They’re tough for the authorities to cease and permit protesters to maintain the demonstrations with fewer dangers.
Tales You Would possibly Have Missed
• An Iranian political activist imprisoned within the western metropolis of Bukan and subsequently transferred to hospital after falling right into a coma died on December 18.
Hengaw, a Norway-based group that screens rights violations in Iran’s Kurdish areas, mentioned Mohammad Haji Rasoulpour was arrested in October throughout antiestablishment protests in Bukan.
After being rearrested in November, Rasoulpour fell right into a coma and later died resulting from extreme accidents he suffered because of being tortured, his household mentioned.
• Activis 15-year-old Iranian teenager imprisoned within the central metropolis of Karaj was launched on December 15 after an interview along with his mom went viral on social media.
Amirhossein Rahimi’s mom informed the Tehran-based Etemad newspaper that her son has been in jail for 2 months although he nonetheless had pellets in his head and chest from wounds inflicted by safety forces taking pictures at crowds throughout an antiestablishment protest.
She informed Etemad that the choose wouldn’t scale back bail to an quantity she may afford. Following the interview, {the teenager} was launched from detention on a decreased bail.
What We’re Watching
Iran’s nationwide foreign money, the rial, has fallen to document lows in opposition to the U.S. greenback in latest days. The rial traded at 396,700 to the greenback on December 20, based on merchants in Tehran and the Bonbast.com foreign-exchange web site.
The antiestablishment protests have worsened the already bleak financial scenario in Iran, the place the financial system has been crippled by years of U.S. sanctions and authorities mismanagement. In the course of the protests, companies and state staff have staged dayslong strikes which have hit the financial system.
The rial has misplaced practically 20 p.c of its worth for the reason that protests erupted in mid-September.
Why It Issues: The plunging worth of the rial will add extra strain on the authorities in Iran, the place protests over financial grievances preceded the most recent nationwide demonstrations.
The rallies have but to deliver massive elements of the financial system to a halt. But when the protests proceed and bigger and extra common strikes by public staff are held, observers say there might be important penalties for the clerical regime.
That is all from me for now. Remember to ship me any questions, feedback, or ideas that you’ve got.
Till subsequent time,
Frud Bezhan
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