{"id":1122,"date":"2026-02-12T11:26:59","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T04:26:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/al-ahwaz.com\/?p=1122"},"modified":"2026-02-12T11:26:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T04:26:59","slug":"lyse-doucet-iran-revolution-rallies-marked-by-discontent-and-defiance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/al-ahwaz.com\/?p=1122","title":{"rendered":"Lyse Doucet: Iran Revolution Rallies Marked by Discontent and Defiance","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"
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As clocks struck nine across Tehran on Tuesday night, rooftops and balconies echoed with chants of \u201cGod is greatest<\/a><\/strong>,\u201d fireworks lighting up the winter sky in celebration of the 47th anniversary of Iran<\/a><\/strong> 1979 revolution.<\/p>\n

But amid the familiar spectacle of sound and colour, another voice pierced the darkness.<\/p>\n

From behind closed windows and hidden spaces came a different cry: \u201cDeath to the dictator.\u201d It was a reminder that this year\u2019s commemorations unfold in the shadow of recent unrest that shook the country.<\/p>\n

Last month\u2019s protests \u2014 which spread through parts of Tehran and other cities \u2014 were met with a fierce crackdown, resulting in significant loss of life. The government has described the demonstrations as riots, while many citizens insist they were peaceful expressions of frustration.<\/p>\n

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Return After Blackout<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This visit marks the first time international journalists have been allowed back into Iran since authorities imposed a sweeping internet shutdown during the unrest. The blackout, described as one of the longest in modern history, has only gradually been lifted.<\/p>\n

The atmosphere in Tehran contrasts sharply with last June, when the city was emerging from a brief but intense 12-day conflict with Israel that also involved US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. That conflict left many shaken but rallied around national unity.<\/p>\n

Today, the capital \u2014 framed by snow-capped Mount Damavand \u2014 is decorated with flags and banners for what Iranians call the \u201cTen Days of Dawn,\u201d marking the return of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1979 and the fall of the shah.<\/p>\n

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Rallies Amid Rising Frustration<\/strong><\/h3>\n

On Wednesday, the final day of the anniversary events, thousands filled Tehran\u2019s streets, many waving Iranian flags and portraits of Ali Khamenei<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/a>. Chants of \u201cDeath to America\u201d and \u201cDeath to Israel\u201d echoed through Azadi Square.<\/p>\n

Iran\u2019s President Masoud Pezeshkian<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/a> addressed the crowd from a stage in the square, blaming unrest on hostile propaganda from abroad. However, he also acknowledged domestic grievances and apologised for government shortcomings.<\/p>\n

\"Lyse<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are ready to listen to the voice of the people,\u201d he said, pledging efforts to address economic hardship.<\/p>\n

For many attendees, the revolution remains a source of pride. A young woman in a black chador described it as a rebirth for the country. While she recognised that some protesters were dissatisfied with economic conditions, she suggested external forces had fuelled chaos.<\/p>\n

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Voices from the Streets<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Away from the official rallies, the mood felt more sombre.<\/p>\n

In Enghelab Square, residents spoke cautiously, some declining to comment. Others expressed grief and anger.<\/p>\n

A 32-year-old woman said she had struggled to sleep or eat since the protests. A university student described the emotional impact of videos and images that circulated once internet access was restored.<\/p>\n

Older residents highlighted the rising cost of essentials \u2014 cooking oil, meat and poultry \u2014 and mounting unemployment. Economic pressures were widely cited as the spark that ignited the demonstrations, beginning with a shopkeepers\u2019 strike in late December.<\/p>\n

Calls for leaders to \u201chear our voices\u201d were common among young people.<\/p>\n

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Mounting Pressures at Home and Abroad<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Iran\u2019s leadership now faces significant challenges.<\/p>\n

Economic strain is exacerbated by longstanding international sanctions, allegations surrounding its nuclear programme, and structural issues such as corruption and mismanagement.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/a> has warned of possible military action if diplomacy over Iran\u2019s nuclear activities fails, adding external pressure to domestic unrest.<\/p>\n

Though President Pezeshkian has adopted a conciliatory tone, ultimate authority rests with the supreme leader. Officials have made clear there will be no leniency toward individuals accused of terrorism or inciting disorder.<\/p>\n

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A Nation at a Crossroads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Nearly five decades after the Islamic Revolution reshaped Iran and established its regional \u201caxis of resistance,\u201d the country finds itself at another pivotal moment.<\/p>\n

Public rallies project strength and continuity. Yet beneath the flags and fireworks lies an undercurrent of dissatisfaction \u2014 economic hardship, demands for reform and calls for greater freedoms.<\/p>\n

As Iran commemorates its revolutionary past, it confronts questions that may shape its future for years to come.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As clocks struck nine across Tehran on Tuesday night, rooftops and balconies echoed with chants of \u201cGod is greatest,\u201d fireworks lighting up the winter sky in celebration of the 47th anniversary of Iran 1979 revolution. But amid the familiar spectacle of sound and colour, another voice pierced the darkness. From behind closed windows and hidden […]<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":1,"featured_media":1124,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1122","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"link","format":"url"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/al-ahwaz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1122","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/al-ahwaz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/al-ahwaz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/al-ahwaz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/al-ahwaz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1122"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/al-ahwaz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1122\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1125,"href":"https:\/\/al-ahwaz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1122\/revisions\/1125"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/al-ahwaz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1124"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/al-ahwaz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1122"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/al-ahwaz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1122"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/al-ahwaz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1122"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}