Protests in Iran are aimed at corrupt political elites and theocrats: Poverty and foreign policy
Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker
Modern Tokyo Times
Protests in Iran are continuing throughout parts of the country despite government threats aimed at intimidating people who are disenchanted with the political and theocratic elites. Of course, the disenchantment of protestors is based on multiple factors. For example, political corruption within the body politic of Iran, clericalism, poverty, squandering money on foreign intrigues, high unemployment, and other important factors. Therefore, tensions remain within Iranian society despite government and clerical threats against protestors.
Increasingly, chants are aimed at Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who is seen to be out of touch with the needs of ordinary Iranian nationals. Indeed, with some Iranian clerics being obsessed with Israel and interfering in several parts of the Middle East despite high unemployment, then it appears that the alienated and disadvantaged inside Iran have been abandoned.
Reuters reports, “Protesters also expressed anger over costly interventions in Syria and Iraq, where Iran is engaged in a proxy war for influence against regional rival Saudi Arabia.”
The above is clearly evident in Mashhad because demonstrators chanted, “Not Gaza, not Lebanon, my life for Iran.”
In several videos that have been circulating on social media, chants can be heard declaring, “Down with the dictator…Khamenei, shame on you, leave the country alone!”
The BBC reports, “The protests began in the north-east as an outcry against economic hardship and rising prices, but turned political in many places, with slogans chanted against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mr Rouhani and Iran’s interventionist foreign policy in the region.”
Hence, with demonstrations in several parts of Iran continuing, then it remains to be seen if the tense situation will spiral further. In other words, will the political and clerical elites take a “good look in the mirror?” Or, will the political and clerical elites be blinded by their rhetoric that is doing little for the youth of Iran?
If so, irrespective if demonstrations grow in early 2018 or fade away, the disenchantment will remain within the hearts of many Iranians. Therefore, if the political and clerical status quo is backed by a government heavy-handed crackdown, then future demonstrations may become even larger and better prepared.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-42531165
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