Iran Rebels After Supreme Ayatollah Khamenei Gas Price Hike

Iranians are rebelling against their own government following a decision by Supreme Ayatollah Khamenei this week to approve a significant rise in gas prices.

According to Ayatollah Khamenei, the reason for the spike in gas prices is a response to “enemies” of the Islamic Republic trying to sabotage the economy. This is most likely a reference to the significant sanctions placed on Iran by President Donald Trump.

In a last-ditch effort to try and suppress the rebellion against the Iranian government, they have cut off the internet around the entire country. At least 2 protesters have been reported dead so far.

Gas station set afire in Shiraz in southern Iran #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/FLRZWsuEWI

— Dr. Reza Parchizadeh (@rezaparchizadeh) November 17, 2019

However, despite the brutality of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, it seems these suppression tactics have failed to discourage the rebels. Reports and supporting videos show rebels burning down banks and government facilities nationwide, showing they blame their economic woes on the current regime.

Bank Maskan branch burns in Tehran. Dozens if not hundreds of regime banks, security facilities, and gov offices have been reportedly attacked throughout #Iran. pic.twitter.com/ayJr2KDLtL

— Alireza Nader (@AlirezaNader) November 17, 2019

 

This video from Twitter user Mr Ben shows Iranian rebels burning down at least one primary location for the Iranian Central bank.

#BREAKING!!!

VIDEO: Protesters Have Burnt Down The Central Bank In Behbahan, #Iran#IranProtests#DownWithKhameneipic.twitter.com/1cVSdBWwBg

— 🇬🇧 Mr Ben 🇬🇧 (@345341063e684a4) November 17, 2019

Pro-Democracy organization Iran Revival (Farashgard), has been promoting the rebellion on Twitter despite the internet ban. They shared out an image of young Iranian protesters burning the Iranian flag.

“These young protesters are burning the flag as of the regime as they see it as a foreign flag. A lot of Iranians believe Khomeini was not an Iranian as he never cared about the country nor its people. Iran’s national flag was replaced with this current one in 1979. #IranProtests“

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According to their Twitter page: “Farashgard is a political action network advocating for a secular democratic #Iran. We Will Reclaim Iran & Rebuild It.”

These young protesters are burning the flag as of the regime as they see it as a foreign flag. A lot of Iranians believe Khomeini was not an Iranian as he never cared about the country nor its people. Iran’s national flag was replaced with this current one in 1979. #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/VnG9D0rpNT

— Iran Revival | فَرَشگَرد (@iranfarashgard) November 17, 2019

According to Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad, based out of Shiraz, the protests prove “ordinary people are braving the brutal pro-regime forces to chant no to dictatorship. All over Iran, there’s a widespread rejection of this religious dictatorship.

On this 3rd day of #IranProtests, these are the streets of Shiraz, a major Iranian city.

Ordinary people are braving the brutal pro-regime forces to chant no to dictatorship.

All over Iran, there's a widespread rejection of this religious dictatorship. pic.twitter.com/fTHWYobBix

— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) November 17, 2019

Iran News Wire, a non-governmental news agency in Iran, has been documenting much of the rebellion as well. They reported on Sunday that the Iranian government is trying to claim the upcoming state-wide shutdowns are due to “bad weather”.

Iran News Wire also shared out an image of protesters burning down a giant billboard of Supreme Ayatollah Khamenei. These billboards are all over Iran to try and enforce compliance from their community.

Isfahan, central #Iran
Protesters torch a large banner of the regime's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. #IranProtests are not just about gas price hikes anymore. They're about #IranRegimeChange. #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/tChImonjuS

— Iran News Wire (@IranNW) November 17, 2019

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The Ayatollah tried to downplay the rebellions against his brutal regime on Sunday, declaring, “Some people are no doubt worried by this decision … but sabotage and arson is done by hooligans not our people. The counter-revolution and Iran’s enemies have always supported sabotage and breaches of security and continue to do so.”

Iran under the Supreme Ayatollah is widely considered to be the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the entire world.