28/11/2021 – Following months of protests by farmers in Isfahan over waters shortages caused by the drying up of the Zayandehroud river, a sit-in and protest was held in the city as thousands gathered on the dried up river bed of the river. The Zayandehroud river has for hundreds of years been a lifeline for the people of Isfahan province, providing fertile lands to grow and sell produce as well as providing sustenance for ordinary people.
The regime has been stealing their water, holding it behind multiple IRGC-constructed dams, and diverting it to state-owned facilities to advance its malign ambitions.
The protests which started as a call for water, soon turned political with people directing their chants against the regime officials. Inevitably, the regime sent hundreds of security forces and police officers to break up this peaceful protest, even setting alight the tents that protesters had set up to make and distribute food.
Protesters are chanting, “Down with dictator!”, “Down with the destroyer of Zayandehroud!”, “Until water flows through the river, we will not return home”, vowing to continue their protests until the day arrives.
At the same time, the people of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province also staged protests over waters shortages. The protesters were chanting anti-regime slogans and encouraging other provinces to join what is slowly becoming a nationwide movement against regime policies. According to the protesters, at least 300 villages in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari are facing potable water shortages. According to reports, many villages require water tankers to receive water.