Iran intensifies its crackdown as some oil workers joined the protest against Mahsa Amini’s death

 The security forces in the Islamic Republic of Iran have intensified a crackdown on anti-government protests in several Kurdish cities as some oil workers joined the protest against the death of a woman in police custody.

On Monday, students continued their sit-ins and some industrial workers went on strike despite a crackdown. Videos posted on Twitter showed that protests flared at various points in Tehran, the capital of Iran, and other cities. Workers at Abadan and Kangan oil refineries and the Bushehr Petrochemical Project also joined the nationwide protests.

The biggest protests in almost three years erupted over three weeks ago over the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, an Iranian woman of Kurdish origin. She reportedly died following her arrest by the notorious Tehran morality police who enforce the strict dress codes on women, including mandatory Hijabs. The morality police reportedly took her to a detention center for a “re-education lesson” on Hijab as she was not complying with the country’s strict dress codes. 

Human rights activists said that she was beaten in custody. Amini’s family also said that security forces beat her at the detention center. Amini’s cousin said that she was assaulted in the police van. However, Iranian authorities released a medical report, saying that a pre-existing condition killed Amini. 

The unrest has turned into the biggest challenge to Iran’s clerical leaders as many protesters, including women, have called for the downfall of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran Human Rights, an Oslo-based non-government group, reportedly said, “At least 185 people, including at least 19 children, have been killed in the protests across Iran.” Human rights activists said that two teenagers were killed by security forces in the Kurdistan province.

The Iranian authorities have described the protests as a plot by Iran’s enemies. They also blamed armed Iranian Kurdish dissidents.