Iran Rocked by Protests and Strikes on Third Anniversary of Mahsa Amini's Death

Nationwide Unrest Marks Mahsa Amini Anniversary

On September 16, 2025, Iran was gripped by a fresh wave of protests and strikes across multiple cities, coinciding with the third anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini. Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman, died in police custody on September 16, 2022, after being arrested by the morality police for allegedly violating mandatory hijab laws. Her death ignited the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' movement, which became the largest anti-government uprising in Iran in decades.

The recent demonstrations saw citizens taking to the streets and engaging in widespread industrial action, driven by a combination of long-standing economic grievances and renewed calls for an end to the clerical regime.

Protests and Strikes Sweep Across Cities

Reports indicate that protests erupted in major urban centers and smaller towns. In Tehran, residents chanted 'Death to the dictator' and 'Woman, Life, Freedom' from rooftops and windows, while plainclothes officers reportedly clashed with protesters in central squares. Silent marches were also observed in cities such as Arak, Isfahan, and Karaj, where demonstrators chanted 'Death to the dictator' and 'Death to Khamenei'.

The city of Saqqez, Amini's hometown, became a focal point, with shopkeepers and bazaar merchants staging a massive general strike that paralyzed local economies. Similar strikes were reported in Divandarreh. Beyond the anniversary-related protests, various labor groups engaged in strikes over economic conditions. Workers at the Arak Aluminium Company (IRALCO) continued a 50-day hunger strike, demanding improved working conditions and an end to privatization. Retirees protested inadequate pensions in cities like Tehran, Ahvaz, and Kermanshah, with slogans such as 'Stop the warmongering, our tables are empty!'. Oil workers in various platforms and companies, including the Offshore Oil Company and Aghajari Oil and Gas Production Company, also went on strike.

Government Response and Continued Repression

The Iranian authorities responded to the unrest with a significant show of force. Heavy security deployments were observed, particularly in Saqqez, where roads to Mahsa Amini's grave at the Aychi cemetery were blocked by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and military helicopters patrolled the skies. Security forces were also heavily present around Tehran's Valiasr Square.

The crackdown extended to arrests and increased surveillance. On September 15, 2025, plainclothes forces in Pir Omran, Saqqez, reportedly opened fire on residents protesting a local gold mine, resulting in the death of Mohammad Amin Rashidi. Authorities have intensified their targeting of teachers and union members, with at least 45 teachers interrogated, arrested, or sentenced since June 2025, including prominent activist Masoud Farhikhteh. Human Rights Watch noted that Iran remains unaccountable for serious human rights violations three years after the 2022 crackdown, which saw over 500 people killed and more than 22,000 detained. The government has also reportedly increased surveillance using facial recognition, artificial intelligence, and a mobile app called 'Nazer' to enforce mandatory hijab laws.

Broader Context and International Reaction

The protests unfold against a backdrop of worsening economic conditions in Iran, characterized by rolling blackouts, water shortages, and a collapsing currency. The United States marked the third anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death, with the State Department issuing a statement commemorating her and reaffirming support for the Iranian people's calls for dignity. The European Parliament also organized a ceremony to discuss developments three years into the movement. Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, urged the international community to pursue criminal accountability for the violations committed by Iranian authorities.