Iran's Nationwide Uprising Enters Third Week as Regime Struggles to Quell Protests
The cost of living crisis in Iran has become a powder keg that refuses to be doused. As the regime faces an unprecedented backlash, the question on everyone's mind is: can it survive the onslaught?
Behind the protests lies a complex web of variables that have been building up for years. The maximum pressure from the US, which led to Israel's 12-day bombing campaign last summer, remains a constant threat. And now, with fresh warnings of retribution hanging over Iran, it's hard not to wonder: will Europe follow suit and jack up the pressure?
The answer lies in the past. During the 2009 Green Movement, the West was hesitant to squeeze sanctions on a nation where ordinary citizens bore the brunt of economic hardship. Was that hesitation born out of pragmatism or a desire to avoid exacerbating a situation that could spin out of control? The same question applies now.
There's also the "nothing to lose" factor at play, which has historically been a catalyst for revolution in Iran. In 1979, it was the likes of Tehran Grand Bazaar merchants who brought down the Shah's regime, with Ayatollah Khomeini at the helm. Can this time be any different?
The absence of a clear leader is a worrying development. As protesters continue to take to the streets despite an internet blackout and brutal crackdowns, it's unclear what the endgame looks like. Will a leaderless movement falter or find new ways to organize? One thing is certain: Iran's future hangs in the balance as the regime struggles to contain the unrest.
The cost of living crisis in Iran has become a powder keg that refuses to be doused. As the regime faces an unprecedented backlash, the question on everyone's mind is: can it survive the onslaught?
Behind the protests lies a complex web of variables that have been building up for years. The maximum pressure from the US, which led to Israel's 12-day bombing campaign last summer, remains a constant threat. And now, with fresh warnings of retribution hanging over Iran, it's hard not to wonder: will Europe follow suit and jack up the pressure?
The answer lies in the past. During the 2009 Green Movement, the West was hesitant to squeeze sanctions on a nation where ordinary citizens bore the brunt of economic hardship. Was that hesitation born out of pragmatism or a desire to avoid exacerbating a situation that could spin out of control? The same question applies now.
There's also the "nothing to lose" factor at play, which has historically been a catalyst for revolution in Iran. In 1979, it was the likes of Tehran Grand Bazaar merchants who brought down the Shah's regime, with Ayatollah Khomeini at the helm. Can this time be any different?
The absence of a clear leader is a worrying development. As protesters continue to take to the streets despite an internet blackout and brutal crackdowns, it's unclear what the endgame looks like. Will a leaderless movement falter or find new ways to organize? One thing is certain: Iran's future hangs in the balance as the regime struggles to contain the unrest.
another country where people are fed up with their lives and now everyone wants to take down the government 
like, what's next? will china be next on the hitlist or is it just a coincidence that every single country has protests these days 
it's not like they haven't been warning us about the dangers of rising tensions in iran for years so maybe this isn't a surprise 
can we just get some answers already? are the protesters gonna find their voices or get silenced by the regime? one thing is for sure, iran's future is looking super uncertain 
. can't say it enough: economic hardship > politics at this point 
The cost of living crisis is literally unfair, u know? It feels like they're being held hostage by their own government. I mean, what's a "maximum pressure" campaign supposed to do? Make things better for the people?
We're always talking about how hard it is for people in other countries, but what about the struggles right here at home? Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is acknowledge that our own system isn't perfect and that change might be necessary. 
It's easy to just keep on hoping that someone else will fix everything, but it sounds like Iran's situation is a perfect storm of desperation and frustration. Maybe we can learn from their struggles and try to find ways to support people who are fighting for their rights? 
. And can you blame them for rising up against the government? I mean, when cost of living is through the roof and people are struggling just to make ends meet, thats a powder keg waiting to blow! 
. Will it all fall apart or lead to real change? Only time will tell, but I'm rooting for them from afar 
have you seen those protests online? so organized and coordinated, like someone's pulling the strings from behind the scenes 
meanwhile europe is just sitting there, watching and waiting to see what happens next 
what really concerns me is the lack of a clear leader, it makes it hard to predict what'll happen next, will it be a revolution or a stalemate? 
either way, iran's future looks super uncertain