In late December, Iran witnessed the beginnings of a widespread uprising, driven primarily by economic pressures and initially emerging among merchant bazaaris before spreading across broader segments of society. As events unfolded rapidly, calls for regime change became the focus of international attention. Consistent with its response to previous protest movements, the Iranian government once again opted for repression rather than engagement, violently suppressing demonstrations instead of allowing popular grievances to be articulated and addressed.
The scale of repression has been staggering, with reports of militia members from neighbouring countries, particularly Iraq, entering Iran to assist the government in quelling the unrest. The regime’s ideological base within Iran also demands swift state action during periods of political upheaval, fuelling the violent crackdown.
However, the narrative of a “final battle” advanced by Reza Pahlavi, the son of the former shah, and monarchist groups within the diaspora, has played a significant role in mobilising individuals to engage in high-risk street protests. This has arguably distorted the legitimate democratic demands of many Iranians, transforming the movement into a nationalist confrontation.
Iran is a multinational society composed of diverse ethnic and national groups, including Kurds, Turkic Azeris, and other minorities. These non-Persian communities maintain strong political movements that explicitly reject Persian supremacy. Kurdish political organisations, in particular, have voiced their opposition to Pahlavi and the Persian nationalist ideology he represents.
Regrettably, the political and ethnic demands of these communities have been largely eclipsed in the pursuit of calls for regime overthrow by any means necessary, even when such outcomes offered no guarantees of democratic governance or equitable power-sharing. Additionally, the central role historically played by women in democratic movements, as well as the contributions of Gen Z, have been marginalised and swiftly overshadowed.
Pahlavi’s ineffective leadership and the consolidation of a Persian nationalist narrative have constrained democratic political discourse, further marginalising diverse perspectives and contributing to the absence of a genuinely inclusive and representative political narrative. By promoting a far-right monarchist discourse grounded in notions of Persian supremacy, meaningful democratic dialogue within Iranian civil society has been severely undermined.
Ultimately, the Iranian government’s response, marked by a level of brutality exceeding that of previous uprisings, has resulted in significant loss of life and once again silenced the Iranian people’s peaceful and democratic demands. As the situation continues to unfold, it is crucial to recognise the complexities at play and ensure that the voices of all Iranians, including ethnic minorities and civil society actors, are heard and their legitimate aspirations for change are not overshadowed by competing narratives.
