A work stoppage hit the Islamic Republic of Iran’s vital energy sector on Monday in the oil-rich Bushehr province of the Persian Gulf.
Dramatic video footage circulating on social media shows contract workers in the city of Asalouye chanting “Take down the dictator” in reference to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Live ammunition.
“Labor strikes could cripple the Islamic Republic, especially in the energy sector. After three weeks of revolution, large-scale strikes in the oil, gas and petrochemical sectors pose a serious existential threat to the regime. bring,” said Iranian expert Alireza Nader. Fox news digital.
Nader, who has written extensively on trade unions and worker unrest as a means to oust the clerical regime, said the United States and other Western countries should “establish strike funds to help workers and their families.” added that.
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London-based news agency Iran International provided a link to a Twitter account disclosing video footage of workers declaring: “This year is the year of blood. Sayyed Ali Khamenei is over!”
Labor unrest in Iran’s energy industry has been sparked by the Islamic Republic of Iran morality police who allegedly beat and killed 22-year-old Martha Amini for violating the country’s strict laws requiring women to cover their hair. caused.
Amini’s death last month sent Iran embroiled in rebellion across the vast Middle Eastern nation.
Workers also protested in Abadan, Khuzestan province, one of Iran’s most extensive oil and petrochemical hubs.
According to the US-based Center for Human Rights of Iran, the Council of Contracted Oil Workers Protest Organizations wrote on their Telegram channel: [all] Colleagues in oil, gas and petrochemical projects, all refineries and petrochemicals. Oil platforms and drilling sites declare that now is the time to stage widespread protests and prepare for a nationwide and arduous strike. ”
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The workers added, “This is the beginning of the road and we will continue our protests every day across the country.”
The Tasnim News Agency, which is controlled by the Iranian regime, claimed the labor action was related to a wage dispute involving 700 workers. The Islamic Republic did not expressly recognize strike activity.
Iran’s energy sector disruption is the first example of labor disruption in the energy sector due to Amini’s death.
Rights groups said the clerical regime has killed 185 people, including 19 minors, since the demonstrations broke out more than three weeks ago.
Iranian officials say “rioters” have killed at least 20 security personnel.
Labor and social unrest were largely confined to universities, and at least 10 universities went on strike after Amini’s death. In late September, the Cultural Association Coordinating Council called on teachers and students to strike.
Iran International reported on Saturday that Tehran’s traditional Grand Bazaar was closed and workers from small businesses and retailers took part in demonstrations against the Khamenei government.
A new burst of industrial and labor chaos in Iran’s energy comes as the Biden administration vigorously seeks to strike a nuclear deal with Tehran’s rulers. The so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the official name of the Iran nuclear deal, would pour $275 billion into Iran’s coffers in the first year of the deal, according to a study conducted by the Foundation for Defense of Democracy.
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In exchange for the suspension of economic sanctions against the Iranian regime, the deal only requires Khamenei to temporarily suspend his reported plans to build a nuclear weapons device.
Lisa Daftali, an Iranian expert and editor-in-chief of Foreign Desk, told Fox News Digital: , placing more weight on Iran’s global oil production. Now, Iran’s petrochemical strike has a great opportunity to confront the world and demand heed to the calls for human rights and freedoms by Iranian protesters. ”
Robert Murray, the administration’s special envoy to Iran, recently said the Biden administration has no interest in replacing the Iranian regime. Murray told NPR that the United States wants “an Iranian government that respects the fundamental rights of its people” but does not want regime change.
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