Iran is currently facing major unrest that is seemingly shaping up to potentially be a transformative moment in the Islamic Republic of Iran’s history. Protesting in the country began last year primarily over economic issues, but has in more recent turns of events transformed into demands for major changes in the leadership and its structure. What is most notable about the current wave of protest and unrest is that it has swept across the entire nation, from the capital of Tehran to the provinces where support for the current government is normally pretty high. Protesters are in the streets demanding major changes, especially changes in the leadership.

According to human rights organisations and aid teams, many have been hurt or killed in the government’s heavy-handed response, especially with Iran’s highly trained and brutal security forces stepping in to defend the leadership across the nation. The government has also implemented several other control tactics, such as cutting off internet and phone services, to disrupt communication in hopes that protesters cannot properly organise, giving security forces an upper hand. It is important to note that Iran’s highly trained security forces are small in number, but extremely loyal to the current government, and they will definitely be the backbone of its defence. Some have argued that there could be cracks of loyalty within its ranks, but I find this opinion somewhat dubious and unreliable.

The primary issue that Iranians have is definitely the economy, which has been shaken by strong international restrictions, an ever-weakening currency, and geopolitical conflicts that have, in turn, led to high prices for everyday consumer goods, which has led to a sharp decline in living standards for the average Iranian. The value of the local currency has dropped so drastically that it has made food and other essential items unaffordable for many, which, alongside a government policy of reduced public spending, has specifically driven business owners and other essential workers, such as taxi drivers, to strike against the government’s economic plans. This was the launching point for the wider protest that has spread across the nation. In response, the Iranian government has attempted to appease the protesters by offering small pay raises and support funds, but most have gotten to the point where they believe it is not enough to solve their problems.

Therefore, politically, the leaders of the country are losing trust at a rapid rate, especially amongst the younger generations. They are uninterested in old revolutionary slogans and religious texts and yearn for more freedoms, which I myself have seen through the work of social workers who provide extracurricular activities in the country, such as skateboarding, which has a huge following in Iran. The local population has also become frustrated by their government’s regional policies and global funding of groups and assets across the region when, at home, they are struggling.

It must be noted that although protests include participants from every aspect of life, from minority communities to metropolitan youth, those involved are not completely united in their goal. Messages coming from the protests echo earlier pushes for better women’s rights and freedoms, while some focus on royalty from the past, such as the Shah. This is important to note because although the protests are large and seemingly fast-moving, the security forces, for now, hold strong control through unity of action, which is what they seek for a strategic advantage over the protesters.

The path ahead for Iran is uncertain, especially as past protests have typically been stopped by force and eventually subside, resulting in the government maintaining control. However, in this case, outside pressure, which is of course prevalent, has emerged as the Iranian government has taken aim at both the USA and Israel as instigators of the protests. There is some truth to the fact that external security forces have implemented pressure and helped organise aspects of the unrest. This outside pressure and internal unrest could lead to structural changes; however, it is yet to be seen if the Iranian government is unable to overcome this round of protests, what structural changes will take place if they do lose control, and what this will mean for the overall security and stability of the wider region.