[Current Outlook]
Slow downward trend from the peak of the 2nd wave nearly a month ago. Signs show most metrics are only slightly down after a month.
But I expect the impacts of the Ashura ceremonies start to show itself in a week.
Meanwhile the establishment is trying to throw the blame at the travellers during the 4-day holidays during Ashura where travelled to the north for some break. But reality is travels only increased by 9%.
There is NO comparison: the impact of Ashura ceremonies will be immense.
Short news:
- number of patients in critical condition remains very high at 3700 only slightly down from 4100
- another MP caught COVID
- it was reported Ayatollah Jannati, 91 and holding a few key positions, is down with COVID but later denied.
Head of the Medical Council in Iran which has been pretty outspoken, has written an open letter against the dangers of opening schools.
We have a few reports that despite authorities maintaining that the 2nd wave is under control, there are still news from various hospitals especially in Tehran in terms of lack of ICU beds.
On non-COVID front, we had some very #IMPORTANT report from @AmnestyIran on the torture (including sexual) of detainees of the petrol price hike protests where up to 1500 reported dead.
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 👇
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.