Iranians

[pandowo]

I’m rooting for you !!! Anyone else want to show their support ?

Yes, I'm rooting for them too. Just seen an article claiming that over 200 protesters have been killed.
https://time.com/7345092/iran-protests-death-toll-regime-crackdown/

Absolutely 💯. Time to get rid of the extremist regime!

Democracy and human rights, I support.

Bringing back the Shah and installing a pro-US, pro-Israel regime, I don't support.

To be clear, I don’t think the US should get involved, they’re really pissing me off lately sticking their noses in across the globe !

I am just proud the general public are not frightened to speak out anymore

I fear for the citizens especially the children and elderly. They are brave people.
The world is mental at the minute.

Isn’t it ?! I was thinking myself last night how delicate it all seems, everyone’s lost the plot

Really?! Thank goodness he is sticking his nose in. Right now many lives could depend on it ….

I am ashamed that my own leaders don’t seem to be getting involved

Incredibly brave, hopefully it’s time and he flees

Yes!

Surprised Trump hasn't claimed he can end it yet. Wouldn't blame the people if they dreaded any US interference. They left them out to dry last time but saved the Shah's ass.

Exactly - given US track record they'll just bomb the entire country without any shits given for civilians. They can't even look after their own!

Let’s hope he doesn’t try and run that country too !

What if the majority of Iranians want the return of the shah?

From bits and pieces I’ve heard, they don’t necessarily all want this. Personally i feel it’s it’s a concerning time as there could now be a power vacuum which could go either way.

I don’t know how reliable this is but I have been visiting Omid Dajili’s Twitter a bit. Interesting post - he predicted this yesterday if it’s true

https://x.com/omid9/status/2009971057705316510?s=46&t=A2fpFNgDRyXF2d6ye97wEA

there’s a delay with bbc reports as they are banned from Iran

The Shah was unpopular, as are the Ayatollahs.

There’s actually a long history of friendship between Persians and the Jewish, going back to the Cyrus the Great, and a not insignificant amount of Iranians do wish to return to that. If the revolution succeeds, it wouldn’t be surprising if there is work done to establish a good relationship with Israel.

Persians are not particularly pro Palestine. If the democratic moderates/separatists gain power, an alliance with Israel would be more beneficial to them than one with Hamas.

Of course. There are always going to be those anti revolution and pro the status quo. What matters is whether they are strong enough and positioned, politically and geographically, to prevent it. Don’t think that everyone wanting rid of the Ayatollahs share the same vision beyond that objective, either.

When the Russian Revolution happened, the Russian Empire broke out in civil war as different factions struggled to seize and consolidate power. The Bolsheviks and Mensheviks were both pro-revolution Marxist parties, but diametrically opposed when it came to how that was to be achieved and managed.

I joined a free Iran protest today.
There were approx 200 of us. There were chants of 'long live the king', many photos of Pahlavi in the crowd. People were chanting, calling for help from the USA. On the main podium, there was a long flag pole holding three flags, one for Iran, USA, and Israel.

The Pahlavis very popular with the diaspora, many of which are from upper class families that left Iran at the same time as the royal family. There’s also a level of romanticism when it comes to the pre-revolutionary era, and despite the royal family being unpopular at the time they were arguably better than what came next.

Within Iran, opinions tend to be a lot more mixed ime. Persians are very, very proud of their history and culture, and they do not want to be used as a puppet state. For anyone.

I don’t think the Shah returning as he proposed - as a figurehead to oversee the transition to democracy and not as an absolute autocrat - is a terrible idea, however. There is value in having someone to rally behind, a figurehead representing a definitive path forward in what would otherwise be a sea of confusion. It is also vital for whoever takes control of Iran to build alliances, and the U.S and Israel are excellent friends for anyone wanting rid of the Mullhahs to have. Acting as supportive partners though, not as puppet masters.

sorry I meant that they want change but not necessarily a reversion to what they had before.

i hadn’t seen him claiming to be interested in supporting a democracy rather than ruling

Very interesting commentary, helps me understand the nuances. Thanks. Solidarity with the civilians.

Good analysis by Lyse Doucet on broadcasting house on radio 4 this morning

Joining you to wish the Iranian people the very best. I'm holding my breath this might actually be real change, and positive change.

The human cost is looking horrific though.

Please god change comes quickly.