Absolute chaos prevails in the southwestern province of Iran, Kuzestan, where authorities openly fire on protesters protesting the extreme water supply cuts and shortages of this basic good for life.
In amateur videos from the area, countless people appear to have marched and authorities respond with fire on the crowd. “The demonstration is peaceful. Why are you shooting us? ” a woman is heard shouting in one of the videos. Several civilians have reportedly been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces since riots broke out last week. But there is no specific account.
The Iranian government has also cut off internet access in some areas and arrested protesters.
Water shortages are recorded in one of the hottest areas of the country, where temperatures can reach as high as 50 degrees Celsius. The government has built dams in the area, diverting water to other areas. Many fertile areas of Kuzestan have now dried up and the little water left is polluted.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Basel has accused Iran of violently suppressing the protests, but the country's authorities have denied the allegations, saying they were “untrue allegations”.
The BBC's response from the country presents a very different picture from what the Iranian authorities want to show to the outside world. Water protests are turning into anti-government protests and the wave of indignation is spreading to different cities.
