Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikander
Iran holds a distinctive and contradictory position in the present global order. It is one of the rare nations that has consistently resisted the dominance of the United States and Israel—two powers viewed by its leadership as symbols of global injustice. This defiance has garnered Iran both admiration and isolation. While its opposition to Western control signifies a quest for independence, internal divisions within Iranian society present a more intricate scenario where firm ideology coexists with significant economic challenges and dissent among different generations.
In recent times, Iran has witnessed waves of protests. While the authorities often dismiss these movements as externally instigated or manipulated by foreign forces, attributing them solely to such conspiracies overlooks the genuine grievances of the Iranian populace. Issues such as inflation, corruption, unemployment, and power shortages have become commonplace. Western sanctions, particularly those imposed by the United States, have severely impacted the economy, exacerbated social inequality, and dampened the hopes of young individuals who see little reward for their education, loyalty, or patriotism.
This article delves into the origins of contemporary protests in Iran through a comprehensive analysis of its ideological stances, geopolitical strategies, and internal socioeconomic conditions. It examines how Iran’s resistance against Western imperialism, while commendable in certain aspects, has become entangled with its internal contradictions, leading to conditions conducive to domestic unrest.
The Identity of Anti-Imperialism and Its Ramifications
Iran’s political identity since the 1979 Islamic Revolution has been rooted in anti-imperialism. The revolutionary discourse of Imam Khomeini portrayed the United States as the “Great Satan” and Israel as the epitome of injustice in the region. Even today, Iranian state rhetoric criticizes U.S. and Israeli policies as manipulative, coercive, and violative of international law. The historical context, especially the CIA-backed coup in 1953 against Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, lends credibility to this suspicion. Thus, Iran’s defiance is not just a result of ideological conviction but also stems from a painful national history.
However, the opposition to Western hegemony has not shielded Iran from internal challenges. The theocratic system that initially promised spiritual authenticity and social equity has gradually transformed into a complex power structure dominated by clerical elites and military-industrial networks. The revolutionary fervor that once inspired the underprivileged and marginalized now faces credibility issues among a population grappling with economic hardships and corruption that betray the principles of the revolution.
Consequently, the same identity that united the nation against external adversaries now fuels internal divisions. When dissent is labeled as a result of foreign plots, genuine grievances are silenced. The ideological shield that once safeguarded Iran’s sovereignty now acts as a barrier separating the leadership from the realities faced by its people.
Economic Crisis and Structural Challenges
The core of Iran’s protests lies in an economic standstill shaped by external sanctions and internal mismanagement. The severe impact of Western sanctions, especially following the U.S. exit from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), has severely restricted Iran’s access to global banking and trade systems. Struggling to integrate into the global capitalist framework, Iran finds itself isolated from conventional markets. The issue goes beyond mere exclusion; it highlights the absence of viable alternatives.
Here lies a crucial paradox. The broader Muslim world, fragmented and intertwined with neoliberal structures, has failed to establish a viable alternative to Western capitalism. Iran’s aspiration to develop a self-reliant Islamic economy remains more of a dream than a reality. As sanctions tightened, Tehran was compelled to sell crude oil at considerably reduced prices, often through clandestine channels. Instead of investing revenues in infrastructure, welfare, and job creation, resources were diverted to sustain regional influence campaigns, leaving domestic sectors devoid of vital capital.
Inflation, unemployment, and power shortages have become chronic issues. Daily survival has become increasingly challenging due to power outages, soaring food prices, and a depreciating national currency. Educated youth, formerly proud of Iran’s scientific advancements, now struggle to find meaningful employment opportunities. They grapple with a conflicting sense of deep nationalism coupled with disillusionment about the government’s ability to translate patriotic sacrifices into tangible benefits.
Regional Aspirations and Domestic Consequences
Iran’s geopolitical ambitions have contributed to its internal discontent. The Iranian leadership has prioritized expanding influence in the Middle East, positioning itself as the forefront of the resistance against Zionism and Western imperialism. Its extensive engagement in Lebanon through Hezbollah, in Syria by supporting Bashar al-Assad’s regime, and in Iraq through allied militias exemplifies this broader strategic agenda.
While these policies have enhanced Iran’s regional prominence and deterrence capabilities, they have come at a significant economic cost. The substantial resources allocated to supporting allied regimes and non-state actors have amounted to billions of dollars, while citizens at home face escalating poverty and crumbling infrastructure.
This contradiction is increasingly evident to ordinary Iranians. It becomes challenging to justify funding wars abroad when essential necessities like bread and electricity become scarce at home. The ideal of solidarity based on the Ummah loses its moral weight when juxtaposed with domestic deprivation.
Moreover, Iran’s partnership with Russia, while strategically advantageous, further solidifies its dependence on external powers pursuing their own interests. Moscow’s assistance in military technology and energy cooperation has enabled Iran to withstand Western isolation, but it also ties Tehran’s autonomy to Russia’s geopolitical calculations. Iran’s vision of leading the Muslim world comes at the expense of partial subordination within another power bloc.
The Youth Factor: Balancing Faith and Future
An analysis of Iranian protests cannot overlook the generational aspect. A majority of Iran’s population is below thirty-five years, a demographic that has grown up post-revolution, with limited recollection of the Shah’s oppressive rule or the moral enthusiasm of 1979. Their world is shaped not by revolutionary speeches but by social media, technology, and global cultural influences.
This youth cohort remains proud of its Islamic and Persian heritage but is impatient with the rigidities of the regime. They seek economic opportunities, political engagement, and cultural openness. However, the government views liberalization as a gateway to ideological subversion, often drawing parallels to the Glasnost and Perestroika reforms preceding the Soviet Union’s collapse. From the regime’s viewpoint, excessive openness risks unraveling the moral fabric of the Islamic Republic. Conversely, from the youth’s perspective, stifling individuality and expression curtails personal and national potential.
Hence, the protests are not inherently anti-Islamic but anti-stagnation. The Iranian populace does not demand abandonment of faith but calls for rejuvenation of justice, the very principle on which the Islamic Revolution was founded. The appeal is for ijtihad, not solely in theology but in governance—a bold, innovative reinterpretation of Islamic principles in economic, political, and social realms that align with contemporary realities.
Ideological Inflexibility and the Necessity for Revitalization
The ideological bedrock of the Islamic Republic draws heavily from Shia theology, particularly the concept of resistance against tyranny. This theological resistance lent moral legitimacy to the revolution and continues to justify Iran’s resistance against global powers. However, when this resistance turns inward to suppress dissent and diversity within the ummah, it transitions from liberating to authoritarian.
Imam Khomeini’s vision was not solely political; it was profoundly ethical. He engaged in ijtihad—reinterpretation of jurisprudential traditions—to establish structures capable of guiding an Islamic state in the modern era. However, over four decades later, Iran’s leadership often appears to treat his legacy more as doctrine than a dynamic methodology. The world that Khomeini confronted in 1979 has evolved significantly. Globalization, digital communication, environmental crises, and youth awareness necessitate new modes of engagement. A radical ijtihad—one that addresses economic fairness, participatory governance, and social inclusivity—is critical for Iran’s ideological sustainability.
This renewal does not imply westernization but rather entails reclaiming the spiritual and moral essence of Islam while liberating it from bureaucratic and militarized interpretations. To persist in resistance without introspection only deepens estrangement.
The Ethical Dimension of Protest
Protests in Iran transcend mere politics; they embody a deeper ethical economy. Ordinary citizens protest not solely against poverty or unemployment but against perceived betrayal of revolutionary ideals. When individuals risk imprisonment or worse by raising their voices, it stems from a moral conviction that the system has strayed from justice. These protests are not anti-Islamic but appeals to Islam’s ethical potential.
Foreign narratives often misinterpret Iran in this context. Western media tends to portray Iranian uprisings as secular movements advocating liberal democracy. In reality, these protests are nuanced, driven by a blend of faith and frustration, loyalty and disillusionment. Many protesters invoke Islamic symbols while critiquing clerical authority, signifying a resistance against economic deprivation and moral hypocrisy simultaneously.
The government’s tactic of labeling dissenters as agents of Zionism may temporarily consolidate loyalist support but erodes long-term legitimacy. To dismiss every protest as an external plot denies Iranian society the agency to think, feel, and self-correct. The most significant peril to the Islamic Republic lies not in external threats but in internal deafness.
International Isolation and the Price of Defiance
Iran’s enduring isolation exacerbates domestic challenges. Sanctions have evolved into a form of economic warfare. Banks, industries, and even essential imports face restrictions under the guise of nuclear containment. While these Western policies are unjust and coercive, violating principles of collective human welfare, Iran’s own diplomatic decisions have often worsened its predicament.
The insistence on absolute ideological purity has constrained diplomatic flexibility. While countries like China and India engage pragmatically with Western and regional powers, Iran’s stance remains polarized. This unwavering posture, though morally grounded, limits opportunities for economic recovery and trade diversification. The failure to forge broad alliances within the Muslim world underscores both Iran’s political isolation and the disunity within the Muslim community.
Ironically, Iran’s attempts to lead the Muslim world through defiance have only distanced it from Muslim societies economically intertwined with Western systems. This isolation perpetuates a cycle of sanctions, poverty, and protest.
The Duality of Resistance and Prosperity
Iran’s predicament encapsulates a perennial paradox in revolutionary politics: the tension between principle and pragmatism. A state founded on resistance cannot pivot towards economic liberalization without appearing to compromise its values. Nonetheless, prolonged resistance without corresponding prosperity undermines legitimacy.
The leadership views economic hardships as the cost of dignity—a resistance economy. However, for the youth and the working class, dignity devoid of basic necessities is hollow. When inflation erodes salaries, corruption subverts fairness, and ideological rhetoric supplants policy innovation, martyrdom loses its moral luster. A revolution must not only inspire with slogans but sustain with sustenance.
Iran’s accomplishments in indigenous defense technology, nuclear prowess, and top-tier universities showcase its potential for excellence. Nevertheless, when these achievements coexist with social inequities, their credibility diminishes. A missile capable of reaching Tel Aviv holds little significance for a family struggling to afford food or fuel.
A Path Forward: Ijtihad of Governance
To transcend this impasse, Iran necessitates intellectual and political courage. It must embrace the essence of ijtihad—not merely as theological reinterpretation but as governance revitalization. The premise is simple: Islam is dynamic, adapting to evolving circumstances through reasoned reinterpretation. Khomeini invoked this principle when instituting the Wilayat al-Faqih system. His successors must now apply the same principle in socio-economic and political spheres.
This renewal could manifest in various ways:
· Economic Diversification: Reducing reliance on oil exports by investing in technology, renewable energy, and small-scale industries.
· Participatory Reform: Creating controlled platforms for civic discourse and youth engagement within the framework of Islamic ethics.
· Transparency and Accountability: Establishing institutional mechanisms against corruption rooted in moral responsibility rather than fear of punishment.
· Diplomatic Realignment: Cultivating partnerships across Asia, Africa, and Latin America beyond ideological divides to stabilize trade and political standing.
· Cultural Openness: Fostering creativity, arts, and education as expressions of faith rather than threats to it.
Such reforms do not weaken Islamic authority but invigorate its essence. Islam’s enduring strength lies in its adaptive nature without assimilation.
Conclusion: Towards a Just and Self-Renewing Iran
The genesis of protests in Iran is not a Western conspiracy or a purely domestic breakdown but a complex interplay between ideology and reality. Iran’s resistance against U.S. and Israeli aggression remains morally justified in light of historical colonial exploitation. Yet, the moral courage to defy external oppression must be complemented by moral accountability towards internal equity.
A state cannot champion global resistance while overlooking the needs of its citizens. Nor can it stifle youth aspirations by echoing old slogans. Iran stands at a crossroads: persist in rigid defiance, risking internal erosion, or embark on a path of rejuvenation founded on faith, justice, and pragmatism.
To reclaim its position as a beacon for the Muslim world, Iran must undertake a new ijtihad—one redirecting its revolutionary vigor from external confrontation to internal reconstruction. The true measure of resistance lies not in enduring sanctions but in upholding justice, fairness, and human dignity within. Only then can Iran transcend the cycles of protest and repression to realize a revolution of spirit that fulfills the promise of 1979.
~The author is a writer-activist based in Srinagar, Kashmir. The article first appeared here
