‘Stop Suppression and Plundering’: Escalating Iranian Trucker Strikes Garner Support

Latest Developments

• Support From Unions and Celebrities: Anti-government strikes by truckers across Iran have begun to garner support from prominent Iranian celebrities and other domestic labor unions. Award-winning film director Jafar Panahi encouraged the truckers to expand their protests nationally on May 28, calling for an end to “the massive suppression and plundering” of Iran’s ruling regime. Several Iranian labor unions have also issued statements in support of the striking truckers.
• Drivers Block Roads and Ports: Drivers have obstructed major roads and ports in Iran, protesting low freight rates, high insurance costs, and low government fuel subsidies. Strike action began on May 22 after Tehran announced that it would increase the price of fuel from 15.14 cents per gallon to $1.90 per gallon to thwart fuel smuggling. Iran International reported that regime-affiliated security forces have begun to put down the strikes by summoning and arresting participants.
• Strikes Hard to Break: Despite government attempts to organize the trucking industry into large corporations, 93 percent of Iran’s trucking is independently owned, making the strikes difficult to suppress. Crackdowns on drivers were reported in the provinces of Isfahan, Hormozgan, Fars, Kermanshah, Ardabil, and Khuzestan. On May 28, the truckers’ union called for the unconditional release of the arrested drivers.

FDD Expert Response

“Labor strikes in Iran have long signaled political unrest — either igniting mass protests or gaining strength from them. Labor is now part of a broader struggle against the regime. Support for these strikes challenges the Islamic Republic’s claim to represent national interests, revealing a government that is viewed by Iranians as prioritizing ideological foreign wars over domestic welfare.” — Janatan Sayeh, Research Analyst

“Continued sustained strikes in Iran are showing the cracks in Tehran’s propaganda messaging. While the government attempts to project an image of strength during nuclear negotiations with the United States, Iran is suffering from historic economic failures. Washington must be exceedingly careful at this moment not to give away sanctions relief or economic incentives during negotiations that would allow the Iranian leadership to insulate itself. Domestic pressure on the regime may accelerate Tehran’s need for a deal, but the United States should not accept any deal that does not include the full dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program.” — Tyler Stapleton, Director of Congressional Relations at FDD Action

FDD Background and Analysis

“U.S. Support for Iran’s Labor Strikes Is Long Overdue,” by Janatan Sayeh

“Mapping Protests in Iran,” by Mark Dubowitz

“Iran on the brink — or is the West getting played?” by Behnam Ben Taleblu, Andrea Stricker, and Saeed Ghasseminejad