Protests in Iran increase

[Ihatetomatoes]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg7y0579lp8o.amp

Pahlavi has said that he would like to lead a 100 day interim government that then runs elections to set up a secular democracy.

He has a jammy life in DC. In Iran he'd be at risk of assasination.

What do Iranians want - anything but the Mullahs at the moment.

I have no idea. I have talked to my Iranian friends. Although none of them live there now, because, well obviously. However, they have family still there, and go back. Today I had my eldest daughter’s friend message me (28). She said they didn’t want the supreme leader, but they didn’t want Pahlavi, and they didn’t want to be “liberated” by the US. A vacuum would be equally as dangerous. Tricky times.

I feel like there’s a strong narrative in the establishment in the UK of “ yes but” when it comes to Iran. They want to be free, yes, but will they choose the right leader. They think they want a Shah, yes, but do they know the history. They want American intervention, yes, but Trump is bad.
Look, maybe the Shah wouldn’t work out, maybe Trumps motives are less than honourable but let’s not let perfect be the enemy of good.
What Iranians have NOW is Hell. We should support whatever they think is the best way out.

She is interesting, I've followed a few people recently who seem well informed on Iran.

I hope to god the country doesn’t descend into opposing factions. That would be a nightmare.

I have Iranian family members (not living in Iran) and have been following this story, a bit surprised how little coverage it is getting.

There is also a small Jewish community in Iran so worried about them, and all the other brave citizens of Iran.

Of course, I will not be sad to see the demise of a regime who is plotting my death, and the deaths of my fellow Jews.

Hope it all ends well!

I've just started following Omid Djalili on X (https://x.com/omid9) who is doing rolling news coverage in place of BBC, Channel 4 etc.

Thanks I'll take a look

@mumandmumber I really like Elica le Bon’s posts. She explains things really well.

They will be doing the usual mental gymnastics to blame this on anyone but Islamists..

It sounds awful there

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2jek15m8no

It is possible to be Muslim and not extreme. I realise this might be difficult for some people to understand.

The Iranians I know are all very inoffensive too. Let’s not tar everyone with the same brush please?

It is also possible to be Muslim and not an Islamist you know. I think my point has been proved -thank you

Nobody has said otherwise. Do you know the difference between islam and islamism? Its an important distinction.

I think I do thanks. I have lived in the ME for more years than I care to remember.

Muslim <> Islamist

There is a reason why the UAE is restricting student visas to UK Universities that have become infested with ProPal Islamism

Many Islamic countries do not enforce the veil or Ramadan or prayers multiple times a day

Islamist governments do, and they are the problem.

Unfortunately the useful idiots live up to their title again and again. They get angry over made up stuff, and hold themselves out to be the intellectually superior- it’s laughable

Inoffensive?

So.why are you pretending that others dont know the difference between muslims and islamists?

The silence is deafening to some of us because we notice who isn't commenting on Iran who are normally very vocal in their opinion on "oppressors".

You are one of the few pro Pals I have seen on MN to express an opinion on the Iranian uprising so far and I note that we support the same side and want the same things on this issue. My view is that I would like Iran to get rid of the Ayatollah too and agree that the ex-Sha's son would most likely be a puppet head of state so not sure if he is the answer long term. Though surely any change must be better than what the people of Iran currently have to tolerate.

I wonder how many pro pals are.utterly confused realising Hamas and the Iranian aren't nice people.

The Iranians I know are all very nice people. And I know many.

@nigelisalier I don’t really understand what you mean by ‘tarring people with the same brush?’
Who are we tarring?
Not the normal Iranians who are standing up to a brutal regime?

Maybe because I’ve lived so long in the ME, I don’t really make the distinction other people do between the two. Appologies.

So you dont think there is a difference?