(BANDAR ABBAS AND AHVAZ, IRAN) – Protests in Iran have entered a critical phase, spreading beyond major cities into areas central to the country’s economy, including key ports and oil producing regions. On the twelfth day of unrest, labour strikes and demonstrations were reported in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas and in Ahvaz, the main centre of Iran’s oil industry, according to information circulating on social media and reports from sources on the ground.
Bandar Abbas is Iran’s most important port on the Persian Gulf and handles the majority of the country’s container traffic and foreign trade. Footage shared online appeared to show large crowds of protesters occupying access points to port facilities, with port operations reportedly halted as workers joined a general strike. Ships were said to be waiting offshore, unable to load or unload cargo, disrupting the flow of food, industrial materials, and imported equipment.
The disruption at Bandar Abbas has raised concerns about Iran’s ability to maintain basic trade and supply chains if the unrest continues. The port plays a central role in the country’s imports and exports and is also linked to regional transport routes used by Iran’s trading partners. Any prolonged shutdown would increase economic pressure on an already strained economy.
At the same time, unrest has intensified in Ahvaz, located in Khuzestan province, which holds a large share of Iran’s oil reserves and is home to major refineries and production facilities. Reports indicate that refinery workers have joined strikes and that oil production has been reduced or halted at several sites. Iran’s daily oil output, estimated at several million barrels, could be significantly affected if operations remain disrupted.
Analysts note that oil revenue is one of the Iranian state’s main sources of income and is critical for funding government operations and regional commitments. Any sustained reduction in output would deepen Iran’s financial difficulties and could have knock on effects on global energy markets, particularly if supply disruptions persist.
The protests have also drawn attention from outside Iran because of their potential geopolitical impact. Iran is an important partner for both Russia and China, particularly in energy and transport. Russia, under the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, has relied on southern trade routes linked to Iran to mitigate the effects of Western sanctions related to its war against Ukraine. Disruption at Iranian ports could complicate those logistics, although independent verification of the full impact remains limited.
China, meanwhile, has invested heavily in Iranian energy and infrastructure and has viewed Iran as a key supplier of oil. Continued instability could affect Chinese energy planning and broader regional trade projects, though Beijing has so far made no detailed public comment on the situation.
Within Iran, protests have reportedly spread across many provinces, with demonstrations, strikes, and clashes with security forces reported in numerous cities. Social media videos show attacks on symbols of state authority and the closure of shops and workplaces, indicating growing participation from different sectors of society.
United States president Donald Trump issued public comments warning Iranian authorities against the use of force against protesters. His statements were widely circulated but were met with scepticism by analysts, who noted that his past record on Iran policy was marked by abrupt shifts and lacked consistent diplomatic follow through.
The Iranian authorities have not provided a full official account of the situation at the ports or oil facilities. State media has acknowledged unrest and economic challenges but has downplayed reports of widespread loss of control. Access to independent verification remains limited due to restrictions on journalists and internet disruptions.
