Iran’s Young Generation Will Continue the Struggle

Interview: Erdal Aktaş, 8 January 2018 Associate professor Hakan Güneş: If you look at the chains of big protests in Iran’s history, you would see a constant revival of demonstrations instead of an uprising which happens for a certain period of time, like in Tahrir Square. That’s why; it would not be a surprise if […]

Interview: Erdal Aktaş, 8 January 2018

Associate professor Hakan Güneş: If you look at the chains of big protests in Iran’s history, you would see a constant revival of demonstrations instead of an uprising which happens for a certain period of time, like in Tahrir Square. That’s why; it would not be a surprise if a much stronger movement starts in the near future.

Protests which started on December 28^th in the city of Mashhad as a reaction to Iran’s economic problems have expanded into many other cities and turned into anti-government demonstrations. At least 30 people were killed during the protests. The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Mohammad Ali Jafari claimed that they suppressed the protests.

We interviewed associate professor Hakan Güneş from Istanbul University, the Department of Political Science and International Relations.

What do you think is the reason for this uprising/anger?

There is not only one reason to it. It is a huge movement and includes many sides of the society. So, we can say that the common problem of the protestors is the government itself. The theocratic dictatorship in Iran. Some of the protestors might have ethnical reasons, some might have social, political or economic reasons to protest but all of them want the dictatorship to end or at least change thoroughly.

What is ahead for the society in Iran? Would it get introverted or lead new movements? Do you think a new leader would be born via these protests?

If people have enough economic power and there are also continuing problems, we can say this movement will not end. Although the 40-year-old regime has some successful tactics/maneuvers, it cannot please at least the half of Iran’s society. Actually more than %50 percent of the population is in discomfort because the elections are not fair. Opposition has the support of %60 percent of the society. Therefore, we can say that these movements will revive.