Assad meets Khamenei's top aide as he makes last-ditch efforts to remain in power

The protests, which ranged from demands for overdue payments and benefits to objections over steep tuition hikes, highlighted the growing discontent among various sectors of society.

On Saturday, hundreds of retired teachers gathered outside Iran’s Parliament in Tehran to demand the payment of their long-delayed entitlements.

Protesters, primarily those who retired in 2021, held 100,000-rial banknotes as a symbolic gesture of national currency's devaluation, chanting slogans such as, “Shout, shout / Against all this injustice.”

Iran's currency has lost 99.99% of its value since 1979, the year the Islamic Republic was established. In 1978, 100,000 rials was valued at $1,428; today, it is worth only 14 cents.

The demonstrators also directed their dissatisfaction toward Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, shouting, “Ghalibaf, have some shame / fulfill our rights.”

The Free Union of Iranian Workers estimated that around 1,000 teachers from provinces including Tehran, Alborz, and Qom participated in the rally.

Protesters condemned the government for failing to fully implement the job classification law, which mandates that retired teachers receive pensions equal to 90% of the salaries of active educators. They also criticized delays in payments, noting that similar demonstrations on November 20 had resulted in no tangible progress.

Students protest steep tuition hikes

Simultaneously, medical students from Azad University marched in protest against tuition hikes during a visit by Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i to the university’s Science and Research campus.

Holding banners students expressed outrage at what they termed astronomical fee increases.

Students from medical, dental, and pharmacy programs have been protesting since October 13 against an almost 200% hike in tuition fees. Despite repeated demonstrations at locations including Parliament and the Ministry of Science, students say that officials have failed to address their grievances.

Azad University President Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi has defended the tuition increases, describing them as natural for a self-financed institution. However, students argue that such hikes ignore their financial realities.

Professors fight for reinstatement

Adding to the wave of protests, 20 dismissed or suspended university professors wrote an open letter to President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday, accusing the government of failing to reinstate them despite prior assurances. The professors said they were removed from their posts for defending academic freedom, not violating any law as government officials have suggested.

In recent years, Iran has witnessed a significant number of university professors being dismissed from their positions. This trend intensified following the nationwide protests in September 2022. Most of the dismissed academics had expressed support for the protests or were regarded as government critics.

Among the signatories were academics from institutions such as Beheshti University in Tehran, Isfahan University, and Shiraz University. The professors called on the government to release a list of reinstated academics, challenging Pezeshkian’s recent claim that many had returned to their posts.

Negar Zeilabi, a history professor at Beheshti University, shared on social media that despite court rulings in her favor, university officials have refused to reinstate her due to external pressure, referring to security agencies. She described the inaction as emblematic of broader failures to uphold justice for academics.

The protests reflect deeper dissatisfaction with systemic mismanagement and unfulfilled commitments across various sectors. Retired teachers face financial insecurity, students are burdened by rising costs, and professors contend with institutional inertia and political interference.

The Deputy Coordinator for Urban Affairs of Tehran Province announced Saturday that kindergartens, preschools, and special education institutions would remain closed on Sunday, with elementary school classes shifting online for the day.

“Given the ongoing air pollution, educational activities...will be suspended,” the official said, adding that such actions aim to reduce exposure to the harmful effects of polluted air. Additionally, government offices may face closures or reduced working hours if air quality deteriorates further, pending approval from the Ministry of Interior.

Traffic restrictions are being tightened to curb pollution. Firooz Kashir, Social Deputy of Tehran's Traffic Police, announced a 48-hour ban on diesel trucks in the capital.

He also added that targeting vehicles operating without technical inspections remains a police priority.

Football matches across Tehran Province, including youth and adult categories, were canceled for Sunday to protect players and coaches. Authorities cited the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular harm caused by the capital’s hazardous air quality as the primary reason for the cancellations.

The Health and Climate Change Department of the Ministry of Health reported in January that 14% of natural deaths in Iran are linked to air pollution. The use of mazut, a low-grade fuel oil commonly burned in power plants and industries, significantly worsens the crisis. High levels of particulate matter released from mazut combustion exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, placing further strain on public health systems.

Air pollution in Iran stems from systemic neglect and mismanagement of the electric grid and natural gas production that necessitate burning highly pollutant fuels. Tehran, in particular, faces pollution challenges due to overpopulation, poor urban planning, and outdated infrastructure.

Aging vehicles, insufficient public transportation, and weak enforcement of vehicle inspection laws contribute heavily to the crisis. Industrial reliance on low-quality fossil fuels further compounds the problem, as does the government’s inability to modernize systems or invest in cleaner technologies.

While officials often blame citizens for overusing private vehicles, analysts point to government policies as the root cause. Subsidized energy prices encourage overconsumption, and industrial practices remain outdated and poorly regulated. Urban sprawl and deforestation exacerbate dust storms, further degrading air quality. By shifting blame to the public, the government diverts attention from its failure to implement effective policies or enforce environmental regulations.

As Tehran continues to grapple with hazardous air pollution, short-term measures like school closures and vehicle restrictions provide only temporary relief. Without a strategic shift toward sustainable practices and modernized infrastructure, Tehran's residents are likely to face recurring health and environmental challenges.

Addressing students at Tehran's Sharif University of Technology on Saturday, Pezeshkian warned of a challenging winter ahead unless energy consumption is curtailed.

“We are facing serious challenges today,” Pezeshkian said, comparing the nation’s difficulties to a patient requiring an accurate diagnosis for effective treatment. He called for collective action to tackle Iran’s resource crisis, lamenting, “Whenever we try to make changes, people oppose it. Where should we begin?”

His remarks follow growing outrage over the government’s decision to allocate tens of millions of dollars in aid to mostly Shia Lebanese families affected by war.

The public discontent intensified after Hezbollah’s leader, Naeem Qassem, revealed last week that Iran funded most of a $77 million aid package to support nearly a quarter of a million families in Lebanon. In a televised address, Qassem expressed gratitude, stating, “We thank the Islamic Republic of Iran...for providing this generous support.”

Public reaction to foreign aid

People voiced their anger anonymously through messages sent to Iran International, warning of popular backlash.

“Mr. Pezeshkian, you say there’s no money and prices go up every day, so where does the money you send to Lebanon come from?” one viewer asked.

Another citizen criticized the government, saying, “The corrupt Islamic Republic regime fulfills the demands of all countries except the needs of its own people.”

A user on X from Iran also echoed these sentiments: “They spend the people’s money on Hezbollah instead of addressing the needs of impoverished Iranians or preserving Iran’s environment. For the clerics, the lack of heating for children in schools is not a concern. The absence of drinking water for citizens does not matter, but Hezbollah remains their priority.”

Economic woes deepen as winter nears

Iran’s looming energy crisis is compounded by an annual subsidy burden of tens of billions of dollars, according to Pezeshkian. “If we cannot control gas and energy consumption, we won’t be able to supply households with gas this winter,” he cautioned.

Gasoline imports also remain a key financial strain. In a televised address on Monday, Pezeshkian warned that without parliamentary action to allocate foreign currency for imports, gasoline prices would inevitably rise, potentially worsening inflation and fueling public dissatisfaction. He described this challenge as part of a broader energy shortage that urgently requires resolution.

Some commentators in Iranian media warn that raising gasoline prices or cutting subsidies could reignite unrest similar to the protests in 2019 following fuel price hikes. Within parliament, divisions persist, with some lawmakers cautioning that such measures could destabilize an already fragile political climate.

As winter approaches, Pezeshkian’s call for reforms underscores the tough decisions Iran must face; however, people continue to question why, despite claims of shortages and insufficient funds, substantial aid is still sent to Iran’s proxy groups in the region.

The eight foreign ministers said a political solution was needed to stop military operations and protect civilians in Syria. The joint statement added that the crisis in Syria posed a threat to regional and international security.

"The Syrian crisis needs a political solution that leads to a halt to military operations," the eight foreign ministers said, calling for the cessation of military operations to prepare for the beginning of an inclusive political process.

The statement was released hours after the foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey - the three guarantor states of the so-called Astana Process - met in Doha over Syria’s escalating crisis, with Abbas Araghchi and Sergey Lavrov calling for continued talks between the Syrian government and some of the opposition.

"There was a consensus among all participants that the conflicts must end immediately, Syria's territorial integrity must be respected, and most importantly, political dialogues between the Syrian government and legitimate opposition groups must continue," Araghchi told reporters Saturday after he met with Russian and Turkish foreign ministers. He did not clarify which groups he considers as legitimate.

However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that the Islamist insurgent group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham in Syria is a terrorist group. He called for dialogue between the Syrian government and the "legitimate opposition," urged an immediate end to hostile activities in Syria, and added that Russia is doing all it can to prevent terrorists from prevailing in the country.

"We firmly reiterate our message about the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria," he said. "We call for an immediate end to military action and the start of dialogue between the government and legitimate opposition forces."

Araghchi also held separate meetings with Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the sidelines of the Doha Forum. According to Iranian media, Araghchi described the discussions as focused on Syria, emphasizing support for its people, preserving the country’s territorial integrity, and avoiding regional fallout. He added that no clear decisions have been made yet, as consultations are ongoing.

Syrian insurgents have achieved their most significant battlefield victories since the civil war began 13 years ago. On Saturday, they reported securing Sanamayn, a strategic town just 20 kilometers south of Damascus, and taking control of Quneitra in the Syrian Golan near the Israeli border.

The advances come amid signs of reduced support for Assad from his key allies. Iranian-backed forces and the Syrian army have reportedly withdrawn from several positions, and there is little indication that Tehran is prepared to commit substantial forces to defend Assad. Similarly, Russia’s involvement has waned, with reports of troop withdrawals as Moscow has committed most of its forces to its invasion of Ukraine.

Turkey, Iran, and Russia have long been engaged in talks over Syria’s future through the Astana peace process. While Turkey supports the political and armed opposition to Assad, Iran and Russia remain his primary backers. However, the recent developments highlight a shifting dynamic, with Assad’s allies appearing less willing or able to maintain their earlier levels of support.

The upcoming trilateral talks in Doha are expected to address these shifts and explore ways to stabilize the region amidst the ongoing rebel surge and Assad’s weakening hold on power.

Foreign ministry’s spokesperson Esmail Baghaei announced on Saturday that “The news regarding the evacuation of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Damascus is not true, and it continues its activities as usual.”

Syrian insurgents have made unexpected territorial gains in the past ten days, capturing large cities and positioning themselves just 200 km north of the capital Damascus. Iranian-backed forces have withdrawn from many positions together with the Syrian army, with no sign that Tehran is willing to commit large forces to defend Assad’s rule. His other ally, Russia, has also been largely inactive, with reports of some forces leaving Syria, as Moscow is bogged down in its invasion of Ukraine.

One of the more influential news websites in Tehran, Rouydad 24, carried an interview on Saturday with a well-known Iranian analyst, Mohammad Bayat, who said that Assad’s days as president of Syria might be numbered.

“Damascus is effectively under siege, and Bashar al-Assad will sooner or later relinquish power—unless Iran or Russia take significant action in the coming days to slow this trajectory. Otherwise, we must prepare to adjust our relations with a new government in Syria,” Bayat said.

This represents a rare candid acknowledgment permitted in Tehran's state-controlled media, which has consistently downplayed the significance of events in Syria. Meanwhile, many observers worldwide view Assad’s successive defeats as a major setback for Iran’s Islamic government.

Bayat in his assessment also said, “HTS forces have now entered Homs, captured Daraa, and there is even talk of their control over As-Suwayda, previously known as a stronghold of Assad's social base…Given the collapse of the Syrian army, they have concluded that moving toward Damascus is also achievable.”

In interviews with Arab media on Friday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also spoke with less certainty and commitment about Assad.

“We are not fortune-tellers, and it is impossible to say or predict that Bashar al-Assad will fall; however, the resistance will certainly fulfill its duty,” Araghchi said, referring to regional forces operating under Tehran’s direction.

The insurgents prepared to continue their rapid advance on Saturday, while government forces scrambled to reinforce collapsing frontlines and launched bombardments on insurgent positions around Homs in an effort to preserve President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year rule.

Syria's military reported conducting airstrikes around Hama and Homs while bolstering forces on that front. It also stated it was repositioning troops near Daraa and Suweida, without addressing the rebels' capture of these areas.