Protests continue in Iran as calls increase for U.S. to cut Iran’s ties to Iraq

Protests continue in Iran as calls increase for U.S. to cut Iran’s ties to Iraq.

The Iranian regime is being forced to make some hard decisions regarding its future. The Iranian people are continuing to protest despite the extensive repressive measures by the regime and its security forces.

On Sunday, December 9, the Ahvaz National Steel Industrial Group workers continued their strike for its 30^th day. Chants express their dissatisfaction with the regime and the current Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Sugarcane workers have also resumed their protest against unfulfilled promises to release detained representatives.

At the same time, there are also drivers from the South Drilling Company, located outside of Ahvaz who are striking for the non-payment of their salaries. Clearly, these protests are continuing to increase as Iran focuses its funding on the military, instead of addressing the critical needs of its people.

Student day protests continue despite threats

The regime is threatened by the growing number of student protests throughout the country and fears an uprising. As a result, the repressive actions have increased, with arrests, torture, physical abuse, and even public executions being used to discourage further protests.

Despite the efforts of the Iranian regime’s security forces to block access to Tehran University, a group of students gather at the university entrance and chanted anti-government slogans. Suppressive forces have arrested multiple students in response to this and other protests.

The Iranian resistance supports the efforts of these students and calls on student unions and syndicates, not just in Iran but throughout the world, to show support for their efforts. They also call on international human rights advocates to act in behalf of the students who have been arrested.

“Expand the resistance units to all schools and universities. Turn every school and college into a resistance unit and every Iranian city into a risen and revolting city. Freedom and victory are in your hands!” said Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), a coalition of Iranian resistance groups. She also shared her support for striking teachers who are demanding changes to the educational system, in addition to increases in their salaries.

Iranian influence continues to grow in Iraq

Despite the troubles at home, the regime continues to attempt to expand its influence throughout the Middle East, with its current target being Iraq. Over the last 15 years, there are signs that Iran has infiltrated Iraq that removing its influence would take more than just a relatively short period of time.

Iraq is dependent on Iran for its natural gas that is used in Iraq’s power stations. When that supply was cut off due to a late payment, Iraq suffered power outages and massive protests.

Others argue that the U.S. needs to build a coalition that addresses Iraq’s needs and can help to sever the ties between the two countries.

“The fact is that while there is a heavy price to pay for helping to free Iraq from the clutches of the mullahs, sitting idly by and allowing the Iranian regime to dig its claws further into its neighboring states will only make matters worse,” said Shahriar Kia, a journalist.

The sanctions are increasing the pressure on the regime, but clearly, there is more that needs to be done to support the Iranian people as they work to make a change in their country.

https://themediaexpress.com/2018/12/11/protests-continue-in-iran-as-calls-increase-for-u-s-to-cut-irans-ties-to-iraq/