The protests that have been ongoing in Iran for the past two weeks have become the biggest challenge yet for the government of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. For the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, expectations of the Islamic Republic’s collapse are being expressed not only within the country but across the world.
Protesters taking to the streets night after night
As the night wears on, the number of protesters on the streets of Iran is increasing. The situation remains tense in the capital, Tehran, as well as other major cities. Regional and global leaders are speculating that this movement could prove to be the beginning of the end of the Islamic Republic.
US signals: Regime change efforts intensify
Following the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Donald Trump has warned Iran that he stands with the peaceful protesters there. This indicates that the US may once again be actively involved in regime change efforts in Iran.
Can the Islamic Republic be overthrown?
The ongoing protests in Iran are raising questions worldwide about whether the Islamic Republic could be overthrown. Experts believe that if this happens, the impact will not be limited to Iran but will have major repercussions for global geopolitics and energy markets.
Public anger fueled by economic crisis
The protests, which began on December 28th over rising inflation, a falling currency, and unemployment, have now escalated to demands for a complete overhaul of the clerical regime. The same clerical system that overthrew the monarchy in the 1979 revolution is now the target of the public.
Continuous Security Forces Action
Iranian authorities have consistently cracked down on protesters. According to human rights groups, hundreds of people have died in this crackdown. Nicole Grajewski, a professor at the Sciences Po Centre for International Studies in Paris, says the direction this crisis will take is unclear, but Iran’s repressive system is deeply entrenched and robust.
Iranian Regime Weaker Than Ever
Thomas Juneau, a professor at the University of Ottawa, says he still doesn’t believe the regime’s collapse is imminent, but his confidence has certainly weakened. According to him, the Iranian regime is in a more vulnerable position today, both domestically and globally.
Trump’s Open Warning
Donald Trump has warned that the US could take action if Iran kills peaceful protesters. He stated that the US is closely monitoring the situation in Iran and that the military is monitoring the situation.
What has happened so far?
The movement, which began with a strike in a Tehran market on December 28th, spread to the capital and other major cities within a few days. Previously, large protests occurred in Iran in 2022–2023. In September 2022, the arrest of Iranian woman Mahsa Amini by the Religious Affairs Police sparked nationwide outrage. In 2009, widespread protests also occurred following disputed elections.
A Popular Uprising After 46 Years
In 1979, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini overthrew Shah Reza Pahlavi through the Islamic Revolution. Since Khomeini’s death, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has held the position of Supreme Leader, a lifelong position. The Iranian people have endured this regime for the past 46 years and are now demanding change.
Internet Shutdown, Government Unwilling to Bow
Iranian police have been cracking down on protesters, and internet services have been shut down across the country for the past several days. This clearly indicates that the regime is in no mood to relent.
Iran is currently at a crucial juncture in history. The coming days will determine whether this movement will pave the way for regime change or whether repression will repeat itself.
