Many Iranians Cite Regime Change As Norouz Wish

In a report released on Friday, the council highlighted the recent departure of yet another pediatric heart transplant surgeon from Iran, revealing that the waiting list for patients under this doctor's care is already full for the next two years, with 638 children in need of surgery.

The concerning trend comes at a time when, according to the Iranian Medical Council's statistics, between 10,000 to 15,000 children are born annually with congenital heart diseases in Iran. With 70 to 80 percent of the cases requiring surgical intervention, the shortage of specialized medical professionals poses a significant challenge.

The situation is compounded by the scarcity of doctors capable of performing complex infant surgeries, with the report indicating that the number of such specialists is less than five. Additionally, the waiting list for pediatric heart surgeries at Tehran's Shahid Rajaei Hospital, the largest heart surgery center in Iran, is already filled until 2026.

The sharp devaluation of Iran's currency and 50-percent annual inflation has led to many professionals to seek residence in other countries.

Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi, the head of the Iranian Medical Council, had previously labeled the "depletion of the country of doctors" as a "serious" crisis, emphasizing the urgent need for action to address the situation and safeguard the future of Iran's healthcare sector.

Furthermore, Iraj Fazel, the former Minister of Health, has expressed concern about the declining interest among medical students in specialized fields like pediatric surgery and heart surgery. He noted the absence of volunteers in many critical areas, exacerbating concerns about the shortage of specialists in the vital medical disciplines.

Marking it as an unprecedented disaster in the history of Iran's Sunni-populated city, Saeedi expressed dismay over the failure to prosecute the perpetrators and instigators of the violence that claimed nearly 100 lives and left dozens injured during anti-regime protests on Friday, September 30, 2022.

"The bloody Friday in Zahedan was a bitter incident that can be said to have permanently affected the conditions of the province in a way," Saeedi told Didban Iran website.

Despite widespread calls for accountability, none of the security personnel involved in the violence have faced justice. Saeedi lamented the government's inaction in holding those responsible accountable, stating, "We expected the perpetrators and instigators of the Black Friday to be prosecuted."

Previous attempts to seek justice have been marred by controversy, with reports indicating attempts to resolve the matter through blood money settlements, disregarding the demands of the victims' families.

Saeedi also criticized the government's response to the recent floods that devastated the Sunni-majority province of Sistan-Baluchestan, highlighting the contrast between the swift action taken to transport ballot boxes for parliamentary elections on March 1 and the lack of assistance provided to flood victims.

"How could you bring ballot boxes with a boat, but couldn't help the flood victims?" Saeedi questioned.

Furthermore, Saeedi revealed that the bank accounts of individuals collecting donations for flood victims have been blocked, exacerbating the plight of those affected by the disaster.

The southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan, home to a large Baluch population, has historically faced economic deprivation and persecution. Estimates suggest that around half a million people in the region have been left homeless and stranded following the devastating flash floods in early March.

Speaking out against the prevailing economic hardships, Tajik emphasized that "The wages of workers are always one year behind inflation."

He added that even a 100% wage hike would fail to bridge the gap between wages and living expenses for the working class. Inflation began to soar to 40% in 2019 after the United States imposed economic sanctions on Iran. The cumulative effect of five years of high inflation has impoverished tens of millions of Iranian wage earners.

Tajik's remarks come amidst the Iranian government's recent approval of a 20 percent average salary increase, slated to take effect after March 21. However, the adjustment is insufficient against the backdrop of inflation rates, which currently hover around 50 percent annually.

The purchasing power of Iranians is further undermined by the rising value of the US dollar in Tehran, which stands at 600,000 rials, with prospects of further depreciation looming in the near future.

The persistent inflation and sluggish economy have propelled millions of Iranians into the category of "working poor," with reports indicating that wages cover a mere 60 percent of monthly household expenses.

A myriad of factors contribute to the continuation of low wages in Iran, including economic mismanagement, corruption, and international sanctions. Moreover, structural deficiencies within the labor market, such as informal employment and inadequate labor regulations, exacerbate the prevalence of low-paying jobs. Consequently, many workers, particularly those in marginalized communities and informal sectors, grapple with poverty, struggling to afford basic necessities like housing, healthcare, and education.

Over the past two decades, Iran has significantly lagged behind Saudi Arabia in energy sector investments, with an annual infusion of a few billion dollars compared with Saudi investments to the tune of tens of billion of dollars.

Tehran is also in a dispute with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait over an oil and gas field field in the Persian Gulf called Arash by Iran and Durra or Dorra by its two Arab neighbors, who have begun operations to develop the underwater field.

Kuwaits insists the field is only shared with Saudi Arabia despite Iran’s claims. Back in July, Saudi state news agency SPA, citing the foreign ministry, said the kingdom enjoys “full rights” along with Kuwait to the disputed gas and oil field.

Following sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program, international companies refused to continue to work with Iran in developing its oil and gas fields. Since then, Iran has sought the cooperation of its few allies, including Russia, to further its oil fields projects.

While Iran proudly announced the signing of the "largest oil and gas agreements in the country's history worth $40 billion," Russia has not converted any of these memoranda of understanding (MoU) into contracts.

Khojasteh-Mehr also noted that the negotiations between Iran and Pakistan are underway regarding the export of Iranian gas to its eastern neighbor. “The will of the two countries is to implement this project,” he stressed.

Hassan Khomeini highlighted a shift in perspective, stating, "We used to say that the country's crisis is because of inefficiency. Now we must step up one level. The issue is that there is a crisis of general public dissatisfaction. There is no doubt that a large portion of society is unhappy."

He referred to the profound impact of worsening socio-economic factors, saying, "Any tree whose fruit is poverty and deprivation is a wicked tree."

Economic challenges have been a prominent driver of discontent, as a 40-50 annual inflation rate, unemployment, and economic instability have plagued the nation. Despite possessing vast oil and gas reserves, mismanagement, corruption, and stringent international sanctions have hindered growth and contributed to widespread poverty.

Iranians, particularly those from marginalized communities, have felt the brunt of the economic hardships, leading to frustration and disillusionment with the government's ability to address their basic needs and improve living standards.

In addition to economic woes, political dissatisfaction has been a central issue in Iran, fueled by grievances over perceived government corruption, lack of political freedoms, and restrictions on civil liberties.

The dominance of conservative factions within the political establishment has also stifled dissent and limited opportunities for meaningful participation in the decision-making process. The crackdown on political activists, journalists, and human rights defenders has further eroded public trust in the government and fueled calls for reform. Many Iranians feel marginalized and excluded from the political sphere, leading to a growing sense of alienation and disenchantment with the ruling authorities.