Iran's Internal Struggle: A Regime Divided Against Its People

The Unfolding Crisis in Iran

The recent wave of protests in Iran represents one of the most significant challenges to the Islamic Republic’s theocratic leadership in recent history. What began as expressions of discontent over severe economic mismanagement, rampant inflation, and political repression has rapidly escalated into a broader movement demanding fundamental changes to Iran’s governing structure. The parallels to the 1979 revolution that overthrew Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi’s monarchy are striking, suggesting that Iran may be approaching another pivotal moment in its history.

The scale and intensity of these protests reveal deep-seated frustrations among the Iranian populace. Years of economic stagnation, international isolation, and authoritarian rule have created a tinderbox of discontent that has finally ignited. The protests emerged organically from the grassroots level, indicating that this is not merely a political movement orchestrated by opposition leaders but a genuine expression of popular anger and desperation.

Leadership Divisions and Response

What makes the current situation particularly telling is the visible division within Iran’s leadership regarding how to respond to the protests. President Masoud Pezeshkian has taken a comparatively softer approach, calling for restraint and urging caution in handling the demonstrations. This contrasts sharply with the hardline stance adopted by the judiciary, military, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and the Supreme Leader himself.

The most alarming development has been Iranian Attorney General Mohammad Movahedi Azad’s characterization of protesters as “enemies of God,” a charge that carries the death penalty under Iranian law. This extreme rhetoric demonstrates the regime’s willingness to use religious justification for brutal suppression, revealing the fundamental tension between the theocratic state’s ideology and the people’s legitimate demands for reform.

Historical Context and Contemporary Significance

The current protests share remarkable similarities with the 1979 revolution in terms of scale and popular participation. However, they differ significantly in their objectives and the political context. While the 1979 revolution sought to replace a secular monarchy with an Islamic republic, the current movement appears to challenge the very foundations of theocratic rule itself. This represents a fundamental shift in Iranian political consciousness and suggests that four decades of Islamic governance have failed to address the people’s basic needs and aspirations.

The economic dimension of the protests cannot be overstated. Years of economic mismanagement, compounded by international sanctions, have pushed many Iranians to the brink of survival. Inflation has eroded purchasing power, unemployment remains high, and basic necessities have become increasingly unaffordable for ordinary citizens. These economic grievances have merged with long-standing political frustrations to create a powerful movement for change.

The Geopolitical Implications

From a broader geopolitical perspective, the situation in Iran represents a critical test for the emerging multipolar world order. For too long, Western powers have exploited divisions within Muslim nations and manipulated regional dynamics to serve their imperial interests. The current crisis in Iran must be understood within this context—as both a domestic struggle for rights and dignity and as part of the larger Global South’s ongoing emancipation from Western hegemony.

What we are witnessing in Iran is not merely an internal political conflict but a manifestation of the broader struggle against neo-colonial structures that have long hampered the development of nations in the Global South. The Iranian people’s resistance against authoritarian rule must be seen as part of the same struggle that peoples across Asia, Africa, and Latin America have waged against various forms of oppression and exploitation.

The Human Cost of Theocratic Rule

The brutal crackdown on protesters reveals the fundamental incompatibility between theocratic governance and human dignity. When a state apparatus labels its own citizens “enemies of God” for demanding basic rights and economic justice, it demonstrates how religious doctrine has been weaponized to suppress legitimate political expression. This represents not just a political crisis but a profound moral failure of the governing system.

The Iranian people’s courageous stand against oppression deserves international solidarity, particularly from other nations in the Global South that have experienced similar struggles. However, this solidarity must be principled and reject any form of external intervention that could further complicate the situation. The solution to Iran’s crisis must emerge from within Iranian society, not through the imposition of external agendas.

The Path Forward

As the situation continues to develop, it’s clear that the old paradigms of governance in Iran are no longer sustainable. The regime’s inability to address basic economic needs while maintaining political control through repression has created an untenable situation. The division within the leadership itself suggests that even those within the system recognize the need for change, though they disagree on its extent and nature.

The Iranian people’s struggle represents a watershed moment not just for Iran but for the entire region. It demonstrates that despite decades of authoritarian rule, the desire for freedom, dignity, and self-determination remains powerful. The outcome of this struggle will have profound implications for the balance of power in the Middle East and for the broader project of Global South emancipation from imperial domination.

What remains certain is that the Iranian people have spoken with courage and conviction. Their demands for economic justice, political freedom, and human dignity cannot be ignored or suppressed indefinitely. The regime’s choice is clear: adapt to the people’s legitimate demands or face continued resistance that will inevitably lead to fundamental change. The world watches with hope that this struggle will culminate in a Iran that truly serves the interests of its people rather than perpetuating a system that has clearly failed them.