The Guardian view on Iran's protests: old tactics of repression face new pressures | Editorial

[Romantic Software Warfare]

Iran's protests, sparked by soaring inflation and currency fluctuations, have shown no signs of abating. Thousands took to the streets of Tehran last week, setting fire to vehicles and government buildings. The Iranian regime, under increasing pressure from its own people, has responded with brutal force.

For years, opponents of the regime have predicted its demise, but the current unrest has taken an unexpected turn. What began as a wave of discontent over economic woes has quickly evolved into a broader demand for regime change. In this, the protests are in stark contrast to those that followed the 2009 Green movement, which was brutally suppressed by the authorities.

The regime's response to these new protests is also noteworthy, marked by increasing paranoia and accusations of foreign interference. The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has singled out "saboteurs" who are allegedly in league with US President Donald Trump, fueling a climate of fear and mistrust.

Yet, despite the regime's best efforts to quash the protests, its response is increasingly underpinned by uncertainty. Its economic room for manoeuvre is limited, and the country is facing growing internal and external threats. The war with Israel in June shattered the illusion that the regime could provide security, even if it failed economically.

The US president's threat to intervene has added fuel to the fire, but its impact may be overstated. Mr Trump's approach risks delegitimising genuine Iranian grievances by portraying protesters as pawns of foreign aggression. Such tactics would suit Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu well, who has long sought to draw the US into a conflict over Iran.

The outcome of these protests remains far from certain. Destabilisation may merely entrench the power of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, while those seeking to intervene risk fuelling further bloodshed and suffering. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: there can be no easy exit for either side.

 

[Worrisome Wo]

I'm watching this unfold and I gotta say, the layout of news articles about protests in Iran are always so... messy . Can't they just organize their thoughts like a good ol' formatted list? But seriously, have you seen the visuals coming out of Tehran? They're straight fire . The Iranian people deserve some serious representation .

And omg, don't even get me started on the formatting of news websites . Can we please get more concise paragraphs and less wall-to-wall text? My eyes can only handle so much at a time, you know?

Back to the protests... it's like they say: information is power . The more people see about what's happening on the ground, the more likely they are to take action . Let's hope the international community can get its act together and provide some support (not just with cash, but actual help ).

One thing I'm not sure about is the US president's approach . Is it really going to fuel further unrest or do people see it as a genuine attempt at mediation? Either way, we need more transparency on this front .

All in all, this situation is looking pretty complicated . My only hope is that someone (or some website) comes along and puts out a solidly formatted piece of reporting soon...

 

[Annoyed Addax]

I'm really worried about what's happening in Iran right now . The government's brutal response to the protests only makes things worse, it feels like they're just trying to silence the people and avoid taking real action to address their economic problems. Meanwhile, the protesters are getting more and more radicalized, and I don't blame them - it's hard to keep going when you feel like your basic needs aren't being met.

I think what's interesting is how this protest movement has evolved from an economic issue to a full-blown demand for regime change. It shows that people in Iran are not just looking for handouts or quick fixes, but they want real change and accountability from their leaders. The fact that the government is trying to stigmatize them as "saboteurs" with foreign backing is ridiculous - it's just a desperate attempt to deflect attention from their own failures.

The US president's threat to intervene is also a tricky situation... I think it would be really helpful if the international community could find a more nuanced way to respond that acknowledges the complexity of the issue. We can't just assume that Iran is going to fall apart or that the protests are going to magically resolve themselves. It's going to take time, effort, and genuine engagement with the Iranian people to build a better future for everyone

 

[Uptight Unicorn]

u guys really think Iran's protests are just a coincidence? they've been brewing for ages, but it's only when the economy starts tanking that people get all fired up. like, what were we expecting? the whole "regime change" thing to magically happen overnight? meanwhile, trump is over here stirring the pot with his usual drama... it's almost like he wants a war and netanyahu gets to play happy helper

 

[Cloudy Caiman]

I think its kinda weird how ppl are sayin that Trump's approach would make Iranians' issues worse...like, shouldn't he be tryna help 'em out? I mean, the fact that Iran's in such a mess already is crazy, and now they're gettin all worked up 'bout some US president wanna intervene? It's like, yeah, Trump might not be the most popular guy, but he's still just tryin to do his thing. And let's be real, Netanyahu's been playin dirty for years, so if anyone's gonna be bad at helpin Iran, it's him, right?

 

[Calm Cray]

oh my god i'm literally shaking thinking about what's happening in iran!!! thousands of people risking their lives for a chance at change is just heartbreaking but at the same time i have so much hope that this movement can actually bring about real change and an end to the regime's brutality it's like the whole world is watching and holding its breath, waiting to see what happens next... my thoughts are with all the brave protesters out there fighting for their rights

 

[Fina]

I'm worried about what's happening in Iran right now The government's response to these protests has been super heavy-handed & it's only fueling more unrest Thousands of people are taking to the streets, demanding change, and it's not just about economics anymore... it's about freedom & justice. I think we need to be careful not to judge who's "sabotaging" what Can't we all just try to listen to each other & find peaceful solutions?

 

[Eage]

I'm literally watching this unfold on my feeds and it's so crazy how quickly things have changed. The Iranian protests are like, a whole different beast now that they're not just about economic stuff but also about regime change. It's wild how the government is trying to pin this on foreign interference, especially with Trump . But honestly, can we talk about how Netanyahu would love this situation? Anyway, I don't know what's gonna happen next but it's clear that there are no easy answers here. The more the regime tries to crack down, the more they might end up empowering the IRGC . Either way, it's gonna be a long and bloody ride...

 

[Gothic Dog Sist]

omg u guys i cant even imagine what its like in iran rn the protests r getting more intense by the day & im literally worried about the ppl who are out there fighting 4 change the supreme leader trying to blame foreign interference on trump is so sus i mean i know hes a super powerful guy but come on ayatollah u cant just make up enemies willy nilly lol & btw i think its kinda ironic that the US president is basically egging on the protesters at the same time either way idk what the future holds for iran but one thing is 4 sure: its gonna be a wild ride

 

[Nice Nightingale]

I'm worried about these protests in Iran, man. On one hand, it's amazing that people are speaking out against their government and demanding change. But on the other hand, the regime's response has been super brutal and paranoid . I mean, Ayatollah Khamenei's accusations of foreign interference feel like a classic case of deflecting responsibility .

It's also crazy to think about how Trump's comments might be fueling the fire . Like, what if he's actually helping the regime by portraying protesters as pawns of foreign aggression? That would just make things worse for everyone involved .

At this point, I'm not sure what the outcome is going to be. It feels like we're stuck in some kind of cycle of violence and instability . One thing's for sure, though - these protests aren't going away anytime soon, and it's time for the international community to step up and support the Iranian people . We need to find a way to amplify their voices without getting caught up in all the politics and posturing .

 

[Colo]

man these iranian protests are getting more intense by the day i'm kinda surprised they haven't escalated into a full-blown revolution yet. it's like the people are united against this corrupt government that's been in power for far too long the regime's response is just going to fuel more anger and mistrust, you know? i feel bad for innocent civilians caught up in the crossfire

and omg what a messed up situation with trump and netanyahu trying to manipulate it from afar like, shouldn't they be focusing on their own countries' problems instead of stirring the pot globally? anyway, it's clear that there's no easy solution here - we just need to hope that the protests can bring about some real change for the Iranian people

 

[Kermit's Sudoku Shoot]

idk why people still think Iran's protests are gonna lead to a coup lol, like they're not already at that point anyone who thinks the US can just swoop in and fix everything needs to take a chill pill the thing is, this isn't about Trump or Netanyahu, it's about Iranians having had enough of being treated like dirt by their own government and honestly, I think the only way out of this mess is for Iran to just accept some form of economic aid from the west and be done with it

 

[Educational Stick Hell]

Ugh, this Iranian situation is so frustrating . I mean, who doesn't want to live in a country where they can afford basic necessities like food and housing? The fact that the protests started with economic issues just highlights how out of touch the government is . And now they're accusing protesters of being saboteurs or pawns of foreign interference? That's just laughable .

It's also wild to think about how US President Trump's comments might be affecting the situation. I get that he's trying to undermine Iran's legitimacy, but it's like, come on dude, can't you see people are genuinely seeking change here? It's all just so... complicated .

I do hope the international community takes a more nuanced approach to this situation. We need to be supporting peaceful protests and human rights, rather than fueling further conflict . This is going to be a long and messy road ahead, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a positive outcome .

 

[Good]

I'm still thinking about those protests in Iran... it's like they're trying to take control of their own destiny but the government is being super aggressive. I feel bad for all the people involved, especially those who are getting hurt. It's crazy how things can escalate so quickly - one minute you're protesting against inflation and the next thing you know, there are fires and broken windows everywhere

I think it's also interesting that Trump is getting involved, but not in a good way... I mean, isn't that just going to make things worse? It feels like they're just trying to distract from their own problems. And what about the people who are actually suffering? They deserve better than some politician blaming others for their problems

It's all so complicated and messy. I hope someone can find a way to resolve this peacefully, but at the same time, I'm not holding my breath

 

[Fool]

omg this is getting super intense thousands are getting hurt and it's hard to predict what'll happen next...like i was thinking maybe the protests would just calm down but now people are demanding regime change?? that's a huge deal! i feel bad for the ppl who are getting hurt by the government, no one deserves that and at the same time, i'm worried about the consequences if they keep fighting...the US involvement might make things worse

 

[Armored Rocket II]

I'm getting really worried about these protests in Iran . It's like they're stuck in a cycle of violence & fear, with no way out . The government's response is only making things worse, it's like they're pitting people against each other instead of listening to their concerns . And let's be real, the US' involvement might just make things more complicated . I mean, we all know how that Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been going on for ages... does anyone really think Iran's got a better track record?

 

[Adventurous A]

its so sad what's happening in iran ... thousands taking to the streets, set fire to gov buildings, brutal force by regime... it feels like we're seeing history repeat itself . remember 2009 green movement? seems like that too happened again but with even more intensity .

and now trump making things worse? i dont think its gonna make a difference in the end tho... its just gonna fuel more anger & resentment... hope someone finds a peaceful solution to this situation soon

 

[Helicopter Racing C]

I'm watching this Iran protests unfold on my feed and I gotta say, it's crazy how economics can spark regime change . But what really gets me is the regime's response - it's like they're playing into the protesters' hands .

Imagine a diagram with two arrows pointing in opposite directions: protest → economic instability , and economic instability → increased paranoia . It's like they're trapped in their own cycle of fear and mistrust .

And don't even get me started on the US president's threat to intervene . I mean, I'm not saying it's a bad idea, but we gotta be careful not to fuel more bloodshed . A Venn diagram of protesters' demands vs US interests would show some heavy overlap .

The outcome is still up in the air , and that's what makes this situation so frustrating . I just hope that whoever intervenes can do it with care and finesse .

 

[Mario's Jungle]

I don't know what's gonna happen next , but one thing's for sure - it's time to get a grip on this situation . These protests have gone way beyond just economic issues, and the regime's response has been super worrying . I feel like they're playing with fire, trying to squash these people's demands by painting them as pawns of foreign forces .

It's not like we haven't seen this before - remember what happened in 2009? The Green movement was brutally suppressed, and it's scary to think that history might repeat itself. But at the same time, these protests are different - they're about regime change, and that's a game-changer .

Let's just hope that some sense of reason prevails, and we can find a way forward that doesn't involve more bloodshed or suffering . The international community needs to stay calm and think this through before they jump into the fray . Can we please just take a deep breath and try to figure out what's really going on here?

 

[Eco-Friendly Bingo P]

the west needs to stop poking its nose in iran's affairs meanwhile, it's pretty clear that trump's actions are more likely to escalate things than resolve them... meanwhile, these protests have shown that the iranian people won't be silenced and honestly, it's hard not to feel for them when they're being met with such brutal force