Archive · 20 Jan 2026
Rich Iranians Party in Turkey Amid Protests
While there are big protests and problems in Iran, some rich Iranians went to Turkey to have fun.
They went to bars and clubs in a city called Van, which is near the border.
Some people in Iran are very upset because many people have been hurt or arrested.
But these rich Iranians are partying and spending money, which makes some people angry.
They say these rich people don't care about what's happening in Iran.
The border is still open, so some people go back and forth, even during the protests.
Wealthy Iranians reportedly traveled to Turkey to escape protests and political instability at home.
In Van, Turkey, they were seen partying in bars and nightclubs despite the unrest in Iran.
The cost of a night out in Van is more than the average monthly salary in Iran.
Some Iranians criticized the partygoers, saying they benefit from the regime and are out of touch with the public.
HRANA, a human rights group, has verified over 3,000 deaths and more than 22,000 arrests in Iran.
- Who
- Wealthy Iranians and locals in Van, Turkey
- What
- Wealthy Iranians partying in Turkey while protests and crackdowns occur in Iran
- When
- During recent anti-Khamenei protests in Iran
- Where
- Van, Turkey, near the Iranian border
- Why
- To escape political instability and enjoy relative safety and luxury
- Location
- Van, Turkey
- Cost of Night Out
- More than 75 Pounds (over Rs 9,000)
- Verified Deaths
- 3,090 (including 2,885 protesters)
- Arrests
- More than 22,000
- Border Crossing
- Kapikoy
