World3d ago·37 sources
Our Parents Marched in Iran’s 1979 Revolution. They Know the Dangers of Groupthink
Nationwide protests in Iran have escalated into a crackdown with bloodshed that surpasses casualty figures from past demonstrations, evoking the chaotic period surrounding the 1979 Islamic Republic's birth. The current unrest, initially sparked by economic grievances over the falling rial, has seen the government revert to familiar tactics of internet blackouts and violent suppression. State media has invoked historical narratives and phrases from the 1980s, such as labeling detainees as "mohareb" (enemies of God), a charge carrying the death penalty, and referencing the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq. While the scale of violence is unclear due to media restrictions, the protests' economic roots may have broadened their appeal across various divisions within Iran's population. The government's response, including organizing pro-government rallies and labeling protesters as "terrorists" backed by foreign powers, mirrors tactics used by the previous regime.