Iran International TV reported on Sunday evening that Iranian security forces have surrounded the Revolution neighborhood in Ahvaz from its main entrances, searching everyone who enters or exits the area. The source added that Iranian security forces are asking passersby in the neighborhood to unlock their mobile phones, detaining them if videos of the protests are found. Additionally, Iranian security forces fired live ammunition and tear gas at demonstrators against the regime in the city of Falahiya in the Ahvaz region.
Meanwhile, a number of Ahvazi demonstrators found munitions that were prepared for use against them by Iranian security forces. Outgoing Iranian President Hassan Rouhani promised on Sunday to open the dams in Ahvaz province amidst the widespread protests that have now entered their tenth day, which are occurring in the province's cities and some neighboring areas due to a water crisis resulting from river diversion and dam construction.
Rouhani blamed the water scarcity crisis on rising temperatures and decreased rainfall but was compelled, amid the expanding protests, to promise the opening of the dams for drinking water, while residents of the predominantly Arab province demanded "actions, not just words, to address the crisis." Hundreds participated in protests in the city of Bojnord in North Khorasan province. These demonstrations were in solidarity with the ongoing protests in Ahvaz due to water shortages and challenging living conditions.
In Tabriz in the northwest of the country, Iranian security forces attacked protesters as a wide-scale protest campaign commenced in the city, prompting security forces to intervene and suppress the demonstrators. The city of Falahiya also joined the protests taking place in Ahvaz, with clashes reported between demonstrators and Iranian security forces.
