Iran’s Supreme National Security Council recently held an emergency meeting after concerns grew about another public uprising, according to a report. The meeting was chaired by Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr and was convened following intelligence that another unrest could be in the offing.
Officials who attended the meeting believe mounting economic hardship, driven by rising prices, unemployment, and damage to key industries, including petrochemicals and steel, could become the main trigger for renewed protests, according to Iran International.
The security agencies that attended the meeting presented a critical picture of Iran’s economy. They highlighted how widespread job losses caused by the shutdown of industrial units in the oil, petrochemical, and steel sectors made a huge impact, coupled with prolonged internet disruption. Estimates shared during the meeting suggested Iran's economy may not be able to withstand more than six to eight weeks of naval blockade.
There were also concerns about how the internet shutdown left 20% of the workforce dependent on online activity unemployed, and that an additional two million people could lose their jobs in the private sector by the end of spring, the report added.
The attendees were also worried about exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi’s call for protests and the likelihood of his supporters taking to the streets.
The security agencies concluded that it is only a matter of time before the protests break out. Officials also expressed worries about calls for protests around International Workers’ Day. There are calls for protests by workers, retirees, teachers, and other wage-earning groups over living conditions, delayed payments, job insecurity, and the suppression of independent labour organisations. This could accelerate around the International Workers’ Day.
They believe protests occurring during ongoing talks with the United States or following an extension of the ceasefire could pose a real risk to the survival of the Islamic Republic, the report added.