In mid-February 2025, Iran witnessed a surge in anti-government protests, notably within the southwestern metropolis of Dehdasht and the capital, Tehran. Demonstrators voiced their discontent over financial hardships, systemic corruption, and escalating repression, with many calling for the return of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.
Dehdasht Protests
Beginning on February 11, residents of Dehdasht took to the streets for 3 consecutive nights. Protesters chanted slogans comparable to “Death to the dictator” and “This 12 months is the 12 months of blood; Khamenei can be overthrown,” straight difficult Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Security forces responded with a heavy-handed crackdown, arresting at the least 5 people, together with a lady named Atefeh Tahernia. The detainees have been taken to undisclosed areas, elevating issues about their well-being.
Tehran Demonstrations
In Tehran, protests intensified following the loss of life of 19-year-old college pupil Amir Mohammad Khaleghi, who was fatally stabbed close to his dormitory. His loss of life sparked outrage amongst college students, resulting in demonstrations demanding justice and improved safety measures. Chants of “Death to Khamenei” and requires the return of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi echoed by way of the capital. Security forces arrested a number of protesters, together with pupil Amir Hossein Gohari, who was reportedly overwhelmed earlier than being detained.
Calls for Pahlavi’s Return
Throughout these protests, a notable variety of demonstrators expressed help for Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Chants in favor of Pahlavi have been reported, reflecting a phase of the inhabitants’s want for a return to a monarchy or a distinct type of governance.
Government Response
The Iranian authorities has intensified its crackdown on dissent, deploying extra safety forces to protest hotspots and implementing widespread arrests. State-affiliated media have tried to downplay the unrest, usually portraying the protests as minor disturbances or attributing them to exterior influences. However, the persistence and unfold of demonstrations point out a deep-seated dissatisfaction amongst numerous segments of the Iranian populace.
International Implications
The resurgence of protests and the specific requires management change have drawn worldwide consideration. Analysts recommend that the rising help for figures like Reza Pahlavi may sign a big shift within the Iranian opposition panorama. The world neighborhood continues to observe the scenario intently, weighing potential responses to the Iranian authorities’s dealing with of the protests and the demonstrators’ calls for.