The story: Protests triggered by water tension and mismanagement in Iran's southwestern Khuzestan province are gaining momentum. The demonstrations have entered a seventh day and continue to draw solidarity. Amid a blame game over the killing of several protesters in past days, there are emerging concerns that a failure to placate the public anger may boost separatist ideologies.

The coverage: Local activists on July 22 stated that they had counted at least five deaths at the hands of security forces cracking down on demonstrations in the oil-rich province...