Protests have been occurring in Iran for decades, but recent developments have brought them to the center of global attention. In this essay, I will explain why the Iran riots started, their origins, development, and essential points, as well as why understanding them may be crucial for the American public.
Reasons Behind the Protests in Iran
Protests in Iran are happening for a variety of causes. Economic difficulties make up one of the key factors. For years, the Iranian economy has struggled due to foreign sanctions and mismanagement. Inflation is on the rise, while unemployment is widespread, particularly among the young. Many Iranians are struggling to make ends meet, and the government’s policies don’t effectively contribute to making their lives easier.
Political corruption is another motivation for the protests. The politically active part of Iranian society considers the government to be corrupt, while the bureaucratic elite is primarily concerned with retaining its power and wealth.
Furthermore, the country lacks social and political freedoms. The Iranian government is notoriously known for censorship and repression of dissidents. Iranians who oppose the regime claim that their fundamental rights are being continuously violated, and they aren’t free to express themselves or participate in political activities.
Key Aspects of Iranian Protests
The 2022-2023 Iranian demonstrations have several distinctive characteristics.
First and foremost, decentralization. Earlier rallies were coordinated by political parties or other organizations. Yet, present protests have been mostly spontaneous and organized via social media.
Another important aspect of the protests was the broad involvement of women, who often ended up leading the rest of the demonstrators. This is really remarkable, as Iranian women for years have been subjected to stringent gender segregation. Current protests have become the way for many active women to voice their dissent against government-enforced policies.
Finally, the protests’ prominent feature is that they mostly have been nonviolent, which let them gain support from both domestic and foreign audiences.
Historical Background
Knowing the basics of Iran’s political history is necessary to study in order to better comprehend current protests. Iran has been an Islamic Republic since 1979 when Ayatollah Khomeini led a revolution that abolished the monarchy and established an Islam-based theocratic dictatorship. Before the revolution, Iran was democratic, and protests and challenges to the authority of the religion-based regime have been occurring on a regular basis.
One of the major rallies in modern Iranian history was the Green Movement. It started in 2009 following President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s disputed re-election. The protesters’ main demand was greater political freedom and democratic changes.
The Green Movement revealed that a significant part of the Iranian population was dissatisfied with the regime and eager to take to the streets to demand change. It also demonstrated that Iranians, despite the risks involved, were willing to oppose the government’s authority. Last but not least, it emphasized the importance of social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, in organizing protests, mobilizing activists, and coordinating their actions.
The next significant surge in protests happened in late 2017 and early 2018. In contrast to the Green Movement, they were motivated by economic rather than political reasons. This makes the 2017-2018 riots very similar to the present protests that erupted began in response to rising costs, high unemployment, and rampant corruption. However, as the turmoil progressed, it took on a more political tone, with protestors demanding more political liberties and the abolition of the theocratic state.
Another significant distinction between the current protests and previous movements is their organizational structure and leadership. Formerly, the riots were headed by prominent opposition figures like Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi. The present protests don’t have apparent leaders or organizations leading them. On the one hand, this has made it more difficult for the Iranian government to suppress the protest; on the other hand, it has made the protestors’ goals more difficult to achieve.
Despite these contrasts, current Iranian protests share certain motives with prior protests, for example, a desire for broader political rights and an end to authoritarianism. They also reflect the continued issues that the Iranian economy faces and the hardships that Iranian people have to deal with in everyday life.
“Iranian Woman Killed, Protests Rally”: The Riot’s Evolution and the Role of Women
At the beginning of current protests, activists initially called for an end to corruption and a more equitable distribution of wealth. However, riots rapidly extended to other cities and switched to a political agenda, with protestors demanding to cease the government’s repressive tactics. However, the authorities reacted by cracking down hard. Security forces clashed with protestors violently, arrested thousands of them, and killed hundreds. In an attempt to disrupt rallies organization, the government blocked social media platforms. Despite these efforts, the protests persisted, eventually leading to the resignation of several officials.
As the protests continued, women started playing an increasingly important role in them. Women’s freedom in Iran is severely restricted. Regulations require them to wear hijabs and limit their participation in public life. Since 2021, women have been a major factor behind many of Iran’s rallies, taking an active part in planning and organizing the protests. The new impulse to women’s participation occurred due to the tragic death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. She was arrested by the Guidance Patrol, Iran’s religious morality police, for allegedly not wearing the hijab. On September 16, 2022, she died in a hospital in Tehran after reportedly being severely beaten at the police station.
Women’s participation in the protests has been fraught with danger. Security forces have used violence and harassment against them; many lost their jobs and have been detained. Despite these obstacles, women’s participation in protests has had a tremendous influence. They have drawn attention to such issues as constraints on their independence and unequal legal treatment. By taking on leadership roles in the protests and speaking out against the dictatorship, they have also challenged established gender norms and prejudices.
International Reaction
The international community has paid close attention to the Iranian protests. Unfortunately, this was only expressed in many words and concerns but little actions. World leaders, international organizations, and human rights groups voiced their support for the protestors and urged the Iranian government to respect their rights. However, things didn’t go further than this.
US Joseph Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz – all issued statements advocating for peaceful dialogue between the government and protesters while condemning the violence Iranian security forces used against Iranian citizens.
International organizations such as the United Nations and the European Union have also supported the demonstrators. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, called on the Iranian government to respect the rights of peaceful protestors and desist from employing excessive force. The European Union issued a similar statement, urging caution and respect for fundamental human freedoms.
Apart from human rights, another major concern related to the protests is the impact of sanctions on the Iranian economy. In reaction to Iran’s nuclear program and its support for extremist organizations in the Middle East, the US has implemented a series of economic sanctions on the country in recent years. These sanctions have had a considerable impact on the Iranian economy, increasing the country’s economic problems and adding to the frustrations that drove the protests.
While the Iranian government has blamed external powers, especially the US, for instigating the protests, many observers believe the sanctions have played a key role in the upheaval. The sanctions’ economic pressure has resulted in rising inflation, unemployment, and a scarcity of essential necessities, all of which have exacerbated the situation.
Why Are Iranian Protests Important to the American People?
The Iranian protests are important to the American public and state mainly because Iran is arguably the main USA adversary in the world. Current protests pose a substantial challenge to the authority of the Iranian government, capturing the attention of the American political establishment.
First and foremost, the protests underscore Iran’s economic and political concerns. The Iranian economy is faltering, and the government’s policies have failed to meet the Iranian people’s expectations. Furthermore, the government’s harsh censorship measures and crackdowns on dissidents reflect a broader trend of authoritarianism in the region.
Secondly, the protests might have geopolitical consequences. The US has been opposing Iran for a long time, and the protests constitute an opportunity for the US to potentially influence the course of events in the country. Furthermore, the protests have the potential to shift the regional power balance, which might have ramifications for American interests.
Finally, the Iranian protests are of interest to the American public because they represent a greater global trend of rallies against authoritarianism and economic inequality. Protests have erupted in countries all over the world in recent years, from Hong Kong to Chile to Lebanon. Similar complaints have motivated these rallies, including economic inequality, political corruption, and a lack of social and political freedoms. These protests provide an opportunity for Americans to reflect on our own democracy and contemplate the issues that we face as a nation. Protests in Iran and other countries remind us that democracy is not a given and requires individuals’ continual vigilance and participation.
Implications for the Future
Protests in Iran have the potential to have far-reaching consequences, both for the country and for the region as a whole. While it is unknown how the protests will end, it is possible that they will lead to changes in the Iranian administration, impact the regional power balance, and affect Iran’s relationship with the rest of the world.
One probable but highly unlikely result of the protests is the change of the Iranian regime. While Iranians have not yet succeeded in overthrowing the government, they have highlighted society’s rising discontent with the country’s political and economic situation. If the protests continue and escalate, they may put pressure on the Iranian authorities to implement reforms and address the protestors’ demands after all. Alternatively, if the government responds to the protests with further repression, it risks inflaming popular anger and provoking a more serious conflict, up to a civil war.
Another possible outcome of the protests is the shift in the regional power balance. Iran is a prominent regional power with clout in countries like Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. If the Iranian demonstrations damage the regime or result in a leadership change, it might have serious consequences for Iran’s relations with these countries as well as its ambitions to destroy Israel.
The protests may also have an impact on Iran’s relations with the foreign community. For many years, Iran has faced economic sanctions and political isolation due to its nuclear program and support for terrorist organizations in the Middle East. If the protests result in a more moderate and reform-minded Iranian government, it might lead to a thaw in Iran’s relations with the international world and, ultimately, a resolution to the nuclear issue. Alternatively, if the protests result in increased repression and instability, Iran will be increasingly isolated and will have a more adversarial relationship with the West.
Conclusion
Iran’s protests are a complicated and multifaceted phenomenon driven by economic problems, political corruption, and demand for social and political liberties. The protests have been distinguished by their decentralized nature, female participation, and peaceful tone.
While the protests’ outcome is yet unknown, they represent a substantial threat to the Iranian government’s authority and highlight the country’s economic and political issues. Furthermore, the protests have geopolitical ramifications and are part of a larger worldwide trend of rallies against authoritarianism and economic inequality.
Works Used
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