As Iran is preparing for the inauguration of elected president Ebrahim Raisi, a move that will consolidate the power of the ultra-conservative forces that support Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, its citizens are taking to the streets to protest increased water shortages. For almost two weeks, protesters have been taking to the streets of major cities in the Khuzestan province, Iran’s main oil and gas producing region. Several people have reportedly been killed by Iranian security forces and police during these protests. Even Iranian TV and radio stations are reporting the killings, with analysts now expecting an increase in repression in the coming days. Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International, and others have published reports indicating excessive force by security forces. This excessive force is now being reported on in other provinces outside of Khuzestan as well, suggesting that unrest in Iran is spreading. The elections themselves are considered illegitimate by […]