Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appears to be personally directing the regime's approach to protests in Sistan and Baluchistan Province.
At least five protests occurred in three cities across two provinces.
Some protest coordinators and organizations announced plans to regularly publish printed bulletins.
The Interior Ministry may be shuffling around provincial governors to improve internal security.
Iran may face mounting gas shortages in the coming winter months.
President Ebrahim Raisi and local officials emphasized the need to conserve gas on December 21.[6] Raisi called on the Oil Ministry and state media to encourage the public to reduce energy consumption. One provincial official in Gilan Province declared December 22 a local holiday for conserving energy. Raisi administration officials have expressed concern over these worsening shortages for months.[7] Domestic energy concerns could inflame anti-regime grievances as these issues mount.
IRAN CRISIS UPDATE, DECEMBER 22
Social media accounts have reported that Iranian security forces have begun violently killing and mass arresting citizens in Izeh, Khuzestan Province since December 21.
One of Iran’s most senior military officers discussed how the regime can adapt to control its domestic information space.
At least three protests occurred in three cities across two provinces.
The Tehran and Mashhad neighborhood youth groups announced their alignment and solidarity with a group called the Seventh of Aban Front.
Protest coordinators and organizations called for protests and strikes throughout Tehran on December 24.
Intelligence and Security Minister Esmail Khatib appointed a new Director General of Intelligence for West Azerbaijan Province.
The Wall Street Journal reported that anti-regime actors have smuggled roughly 200 Starlink devices into Iranian territory.
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-crisis-update-december-22