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DUBAI, July 16 (Reuters) – According to Iranian news outlets and videos posted on social media Friday, street protests erupted overnight over severe water shortages in oil-rich southwestern Iran as the country faces the worst drought in 50 years is.
Videos showed protesters setting tires on fire to block a street and security forces were trying to disperse the crowds when some gunfire was heard. Reuters was unable to independently verify the authenticity of the videos.
“State television should report what we are saying and show the picture of the buffalo that have perished from lack of water,” said an elderly protester on a video on the regional news website Asrejonoob.
In May, Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian warned of summer water shortages and said this year was “one of the driest in 50 years”.
The water shortage has led to blackouts and protests took place in several cities last week. During some protests, people vented their anger with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and sang “Death to the Dictator” and “Death to the Khamenei”. Continue reading
In the past few weeks, thousands of workers in Iran’s main energy sector have protested to demand better wages and working conditions in southern gas fields and some refineries in major cities. Continue reading
The Iranian economy has stalled due to the impact of US sanctions and the COVID-19 pandemic. Nowhere in the Middle East is the virus more affected than Iran.
Protests from workers and retirees have been almost relentless for months, with dissatisfaction growing over an economy with inflation above 50%, high unemployment and some workers complaining that their wages are not being paid.
Reporting from Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
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