The Islamic Republic has been facing protests for seven weeks after Mahsa Amini, an Iranian Kurdish woman, died in custody at the Morality Police. She was detained for wearing “inappropriate” clothes.
According to activist HRANA news agency the strikers were being held in Tehran and Isfahan. This is part of a popular uprising calling for the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ahmad Ali Khamenei.
The protests have been one of the most difficult challenges Iran’s clerical leadership has faced in decades. They are frustrating authorities who have attempted to place the blame on Iran’s foreign enemies and their agents for unrest. A narrative few Iranians believe.
Omid Memarian, senior Iran analyst at Democracy for the Arab World Now, stated that people are willing to risk their lives in order to protest the regime. However, the hope that they can defeat the regime is far greater than their fears.
Asieh Bakeri was the daughter and war hero of Iraqi conflict in the 1980s.
She stated, “Yes, martyrs are watching over us but they also watch over you theft of public treasure, embezzlement discrimination, oppression and pouring of innocents’ blood.” This underscores how discontent is spreading among families that have a special place within society.
“You shoot at the people using war weapons, it’s years since you harassed journalists with allegations of spying.
Protesters representing all walks have participated, with students as well as women waving and torching headscarves.
Analysts don’t believe that the protests could bring down Iran’s clerical rulers. However, they claim that the unrest may be seen as a first step to dramatic political changes.
Sanam Vakil is the deputy director of the Royal Institute of International Affairs. He stated, “These protests can be seen as an occasion to push for change…this is a moment they hope will build upon.”
HRANA reported that at least four students of Bahonar Middle School in Sanandaj were taken into custody by the security forces.
Iran’s hardline judiciary is set to hold public trials of around 1,000 people charged with unrest in Tehran. This will intensify the efforts to suppress demonstrations that have been going on for weeks.