I think we are getting more confirmation that we are at or just passed the peak of the 2nd wave. Conditions as bad as they are, are not getting worse. These metrics plateaued:
- Tehran daily admissions
- Qom currently admitted
- Patients in critical condition
If nothing changes, we expect the 2nd wave to "mature" with gradual decline of cases. What can upset it, and it might very well do, is the looming Moharram/Ashura ceremonies which can blow it up all over again.
Qom, the original epicentre, is in red again - although not rising anymore. Some restrictions and limited lockdown is being introduced:
In Iran, admission to the Universities is by an annual countrywide exam called "Konkur" - and as you can imagine, is a source anxiety for the attendants for months before.
After numerous struggles and changing plans, they wanna hold it - despite the advice from health Ministry.
It seems on the last turn of events, Konkur was postponed by the health ministry until by the direct order of President Rouhani, it will be held according to the plan (not the original but like the 5th plan).
It then, however, turned out to be the work of Islamic Republic's own intelligence ministry. They finally accepted that an "autonomous cell" within the ministry led by Saied Emami had gone rogue and planned and executed the attack.
With that in the back of Iranian minds, terrorist attack on Shah Cheragh shrine in Shiraz was immediately dismissed as the work of the Islamic Republic itself, especially considering the timing (protests).
But it is undeniable that ISIS has claimed responsibility and released π
Today, dozens of cities around the world will witness human chains of Iranians extending for miles.
This has been planned for London too, sadly I do not feel well enough to go.
After weeks and weeks of reactive handling of the protests in the hope of them fizzling out, today the regime is planning to use today's burial procession of Shiraz terrorist attack victims to take the initiative back again.
IRGC Commander again declared the end of protests.
As you can see from the images above, even for a neutral event where everyone would condemn such cowardly terrorist attack (and I do too), the regime failed to bring masses to the street.
Believe me I chose busiest pics, check them for yourself.
#BREAKING The country is in turmoil and it feels like the regime is losing the grip - which is not necessarily good news since this might mean we enter a military phase.
People are reported to be in control of Town of Mahabad in Kurdistan
Funny thing is that taghvim.com website used commonly by Iranians says today is 30th of Rabi al-Awwal. All other calendars say today is 1st of Rabi-ali-Thaani.
It cannot be ISIS!
My Arab followers, can you please tell me what day it is according to Hijri calendar?
Some calendars I found say 28th, some 29th, some 1st ...
#IranProtests2022 5th week of incessant protests (29th day) starting today with reports of ongoing protests in Karaj, Rashst, Hamedan and Shahinshahr.
It is 1:30 PM local time.
This is students today in Sanandaj.
In Ardabil where a high school student was allegedly beaten to death (we have not yet been able to confirm or disprove) protesters have clashed with the security forces.