Iranian Author Sahar Delijani on Protests Against Authoritarian Theocratic Regime

Protests and Regime Brutality

• 💡 The current protests in Iran are described as one of the largest mass killings of protesters witnessed, comparable to the mass executions of 1988.
• ⚠️ The regime's violence is characterized by security forces firing rifles and shotguns, often aiming for the head and torso.
• 🌍 Unlike previous protests that started in major cities, these began in smaller towns, indicating a broader base of discontent.
• ✊ This is seen as a working-class uprising from disenfranchised towns, driven by economic hardship, corruption, and mismanagement.

Economic Control by Revolutionary Guard

• 💰 The Revolutionary Guard has taken over significant aspects of the Iranian economy, including commerce, pharmaceuticals, entertainment, and restaurants.
• 📈 This has developed over decades within a capitalist framework, where the military has become increasingly powerful.
• 🎯 The regime operates like a mafia system, making it difficult for ordinary citizens to challenge their control.

Broader Grievances and Historical Context

• ⛓️ Protests are fueled by decades of deep repression, extending beyond economic issues to include control over personal lives, such as dress, food, dancing, and singing.
• 💔 The violence against protesters is consistent with the regime's historical actions, including the 1988 executions where the author's uncle was killed.
• 🗣️ The Iranian people have repeatedly shown they want an end to the regime, whose time is seen as long past.

Global Connections and Foreign Policy

• 🌍 The author emphasizes that struggles in the region are connected, stating that a free Iran must mean a free Palestine, Afghanistan, and Syria.
• ⚠️ Foreign intervention and threats of war can solidify the regime's core, giving them a perceived