In Iran, tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in massive countrywide protests against the regime. The protests were triggered in East Mashad due to rising egg prices in the country and spread over 70 towns and cities within days.
The protests are not just against rising egg prices, but against a broken series of promises by President Hasan Rouhani, who came to power last year. During the 2017 election campaign, he promised reforms, an open economy, and tangible changes in the first 100 days. But even after more than 100 days and the budget bill, nothing has been done. The clerical regime has, in fact, banned women from entering stadiums. Women who voted for reforms have received horrible returns.
The Iranian economy is suffering due to sanctions from the west. Not just high egg prices, but wide unemployment, rising inflation, inequality, and wahabism are major issues for the Iranian people. The unemployment rate has been estimated to be around 12% – which means that one in four young people is unemployed in the country.
The Iranian regime, rather than focusing on its own country’s deteriorating situation, is funding violence in Yemen, Lebanon and Gaza in the name of establishing and saving democracy. On the other hand, Iran is supporting the dictatorial regime of Bassar-al-Assad in Syria.
With no leader and no set agenda, the demostation that just began due to rising prices and a slow economy has come a long way in a short span of time, with people on streets now demanding reforms and revolution.
The working class, the poor and the youth that constitute a large part of the protests now demand the resignation of Rouhani and of the conservative ruling clerics.
Whereas the clerical regime believes that these are foreign sponsored insurrectionists trying to create anarchy, insecurity and intrigue in Iran.
Iran has a long history of massive street protests transforming its society. Not to forget that the current Islamic Republic of Iran was also born of street protests just like this. Therefore, the Iranian government should look into its own oppressive domestic policies, and the demands of people.