Iranian Protests: What’s Different This Time?
Protests Surge in Iran, Challenging Regime’s Authority
unrest is escalating across Iran, marked by larger and more direct challenges to the ruling government than seen in previous demonstrations. Protests have erupted in unexpected locations, including the city of Mashhad – a stronghold of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei - and spread rapidly from Tehran’s traditionally conservative bazaars to Kurdish regions.
While previous protests centered on the slogan ”Woman, Life, Freedom,” largely driven by Kurdish women’s collectives, the current wave features bolder calls for regime change, with protesters chanting “death to the dictator.” Crucially, this unrest is accompanied by widespread strikes, a tactic that played a key role in the 1979 overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty. Unlike the last round of protests, where strikes were largely confined to Kurdish areas, this time merchants in Tehran’s Ala’addin Bazaar - a hub for electronics and mobile phones – initiated the work stoppages, which quickly spread to the Grand Bazaar and garnered support from seven major Kurdish parties.
The location of the initial protests is particularly important. Ala’addin Bazaar’s merchants are generally considered religiously conservative and have not historically engaged in political demonstrations. The fact that unrest began there, and quickly expanded, signals a broadening of discontent beyond traditional activist circles.
Recent clashes with Israel and the United States, specifically the “Twelve-Day War,” have also fueled anger, tho the nature of that anger is complex. While Iranians broadly condemn Israeli actions, experts caution against interpreting this as support for the Iranian regime. many feel caught between a repressive government and external adversaries pursuing their own agendas. The perceived inability of the regime to protect even its own high-ranking officials has further eroded public trust.
As one analyst explained, outrage over attacks on Iranian soil doesn’t equate to defending the current government. It reflects the frustration of a population “stuck between a murderous criminal mafia that has taken over the country and, on the other hand, israel and the United States, who follow their own interests.”