Is it possible that after 47 long and oppressive years of ayatollahs, backed by the iron fist of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the winds of freedom will finally sweep across the former Persian Empire?
So little is being reported about what could end up being one of the biggest stories of the 21st century, making it even more of a mystery. The grassroots revolution began the week between Christmas and New Year’s – a time when festivities are in full swing. But, nonetheless, this is a major development that cannot be minimized.
The last attempt of Iranians to reclaim their beloved country, hijacked in 1979 by Islamic extremists who overthrew the Pahlavi dynasty, failed despite the massive demonstrations of 2022 in at least nine provinces, including Tehran.
Responsible for that huge civil uprising was the death of Mahsa Amini, after having been arrested by Iran’s morality police for improperly wearing her hijab head covering. That unconscionable act became the impetus for the rage expressed by the local population for the tragic and violent death of one helpless 22-year-old woman.
No longer willing to live under the tyranny of the mullahs, Iranians took to the streets, finally revolting against the lack of freedom and intolerable way of life that they had endured over the last 43 years.
Unwilling to release their tight grip, the IRGC began a campaign of lethal force, using live ammunition and tear gas against their own people, killing over 550, 69 of whom were children. Everything from torture to sexual violence was employed on the estimated 20,000 who had been arrested.
The government, in an effort to ease the tensions, agreed to mass pardons in 2023, but it was too late. A freedom movement had begun. And, although it took a couple more years to rise even stronger, the people were clearly not going back to their quiet corner.
'We want the mullahs gone'
Now, they’ve returned in full force, shouting, “We want the mullahs gone.” Fed up with the massive financing of Hezbollah and Hamas by their government, they are no longer willing to put up with the dire economic situation, the direct result of proxy wars.
Their frenzied chant, “Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, My Life for Iran,” expresses their refusal to put up with Iran’s support of terrorism to the detriment of its own citizens.
And that is why many believe that the failed experiment of an extremist, authoritarian, and theocratic government is about to come to an end. Between the collapse of their currency and the ensuing hyperinflation, rising to 40% annually, most Iranians are unable to afford everyday necessities, causing the level of poverty to rise to nearly 50%.
When people are faced with such harsh living conditions, the only thing left to do is rebel, because life hardly seems worth it when all hope is taken away. It’s all simply become intolerable – high unemployment rates, poor infrastructure, constant energy shortages, total lack of water supplies, crippling sanctions placed on the country, and, worst of all, the lack of all freedoms.
It’s no wonder that Iranians are willing to die to remove the scourge from their midst. The iconic figure of one, single man, sitting in the middle of an Iranian street as security forces approached him, was posted on Instagram as a reminder of the courage it takes to battle evil.
But as the regime barely hangs on, fearing that their end is near, there are growing concerns that their last act of defiance may be to strike Israel, reasoning that if they go, so, too, must the Jewish state. And that is why we are on high alert, prepared for any possible surprise attack.
As the protest enters its fifth day (at the time of writing), everyone is waiting to see what will happen. The day before, young people stormed the government buildings in the south of the country, while the IRGC shot back at them.
But backed by both the Mossad as well as Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the exiled Iranian opposition political figure, Iranian citizens are being encouraged to continue their fight until they prevail and oust their oppressors.
As life comes to a halt throughout Iran, with the boarding of all shops and a pause in almost every daily activity, there is renewed hope that this time, the people might have a shot at breaking the 47-year rule, which has kept them imprisoned and smothered in a way they are no longer willing to accept.
So, Iran is in the throes of their own Tiananmen Square rebellion, risking their lives for the sake of the dream of being a free people. And while the government is trying to put a humane face on the protests by sounding as if they’re listening to the outcries of the people, it’s clear that, from their perspective, the supreme leader, along with his extreme religious rulers, has no intention of easing up their strong control over every aspect of the lives of Iranians.
So, no one is taken in by the feigned sound of “reasonable” government voices claiming that they are listening and possibly willing to compromise.
This regime must be completely shattered and dismantled before any changes can take place, and that would mean either a full-on coup or self-imposed exile of Iran’s ruling class, so that a new government can be installed.
Of course, if this happens, it will be a major game-changer in the Middle East, because those fighting against Israel will lose their financing as they continue to fight Israel. A lack of money will certainly have its effect on the ideological motivation of terrorists who suddenly find themselves hungry.
A new Iranian government will also put an immediate end to the threat of nuclear warfare against Israel – the greatest concern, which caused the US to join forces with the Jewish state and bomb their development facilities in a preemptive strike, severely setting them back by months or even years.
Imagining a peaceful Iran is as good as it gets – not only in the Middle East, but throughout the world. Because if Iran had succeeded in developing their nuclear arsenal, no one would have been safe.
The year 2026 holds so much promise for Iranians, Israelis, vulnerable Middle East countries, the US, and all of Europe. May it be the first gift of a new year with the bright spot of hope amid a world that has gone mad!
The writer is a former Jerusalem elementary and middle school principal. She is the author of Mistake-Proof Parenting, based on the time-tested wisdom found in the Book of Proverbs, available on Amazon.