"Videos circulating on social media show Iranian police forces using tear gas and plastic bullets against protesters. Demonstrators are directing their anger at the country's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Islamic Republic's foreign policy, with footage online of them chanting slogans like "Death to the dictator" and "Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life for Iran." Kasra Qaredaghi, a PhD student in political science at the University of Central Florida in the United States, explains that protests often start with economic concerns,"
""In such a setting, when living costs rise, but incomes and job security don't keep pace, livelihood grievances quickly turn into dissatisfaction," Qaredaghi told DW. "This economic crisis is unfolding in a context where public trust in the government's ability to control inflation and create stability has eroded," he added. Iran's government has been accused of widespread corruption, while protesters also allege authorities are prioritizing support for proxies abroad like Palestinian militants Hamas and Lebanese group Hezbollah over domestic welfare, as well as suppressing freedoms."
Protests erupted across Iran amid a severe economic crisis characterized by a sharp rial devaluation and soaring inflation. The demonstrations began with a merchants' strike in Tehran on December 28 and expanded as students joined, evolving beyond immediate economic grievances into broader political demands. Protesters have targeted Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Iran's foreign policy, chanting slogans such as "Death to the dictator" and "Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life for Iran." Security forces have used tear gas and plastic bullets. Accusations include government corruption and prioritizing support for proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah over domestic welfare, eroding public trust.
Read at www.dw.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]