The Iranian people’s fight for freedom, justice, and democracy has spanned over a century and a half, marked by revolutions, uprisings, and setbacks. While each movement has faced fierce suppression, the quest for a secular, democratic Iran has remained unbroken. Below is a historical outline of key moments—both successes and failures—in this enduring struggle:
1. Amir Kabir’s Reforms and Assassination (1848-1852) – The First Attempt at Modernization
- Mirza Taqi Khan Amir Kabir, the Prime Minister of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, was Iran’s first major reformist leader.
- He modernized administration, founded the Dar ul-Funun school, fought corruption, and sought to reduce foreign influence in Iran’s affairs.
- His reforms threatened the corrupt Qajar elites and foreign powers, leading to his assassination in 1852 on the Shah’s orders. This was a major lost opportunity for Iran’s progress.
2. The Constitutional Revolution (1905-1911) – The First Fight for Democracy
- Inspired by growing dissatisfaction with Qajar despotism, Iranian intellectuals, merchants, and clerics led a movement demanding a constitutional government.
- In 1906, Iran’s first Constitution was adopted, and the Majlis (Parliament) was established.
- However, the Russian-backed coup of 1908 led to the bombardment of the Majlis. By 1911, the revolution was crushed, and Iran fell into greater foreign control, divided between British and Russian spheres of influence.
3. Reza Shah’s Rule (1921-1941) – Corruption and Authoritarian Modernization
- Reza Khan seized power in a British-backed coup in 1921, later abolishing the Qajar dynasty in 1925 and declaring himself Reza Shah.
- His rule saw infrastructure development, a national identity push, and military centralization, but these changes were largely in line with global modernization trends.
- British interests played a major role in this process, particularly in building railways to facilitate the movement of their military and resources during World War II.
- His rule became marked by widespread corruption, repression, and suppression of opposition, including the banning of political parties and the press.
- In 1941, the British and Soviets forced Reza Shah to abdicate, fearing his ties with Nazi Germany. His son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was installed as the new monarch.
4. Mossadegh and the Oil Nationalization Movement (1951-1953) – A Stolen Victory
- Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh, Iran’s democratically elected prime minister, led the movement to nationalize Iran’s oil industry, which had been controlled by Britain (Anglo-Iranian Oil Company).
- In 1951, the Majlis approved oil nationalization, making Mossadegh a symbol of independence and democracy.
- In 1953, a CIA-MI6-backed coup (Operation Ajax) overthrew Mossadegh, reinstating the Shah’s absolute rule.
- This was a major setback, as it crushed hopes for democracy and solidified U.S. and British support for dictatorship in Iran.
5. The Anti-Shah Revolution (1979) – A Hijacked Uprising
- Widespread discontent over the Shah’s dictatorship, corruption, and dependence on foreign powers led to a massive revolution.
- Millions demanded freedom, democracy, and an end to monarchy.
- However, Ayatollah Khomeini hijacked the revolution, imposing a theocratic dictatorship under Velayat-e Faqih (Rule of the Supreme Leader).
- Instead of democracy, executions, oppression, and religious tyranny followed, betraying the revolution’s original goals.
6. Resistance Against the Theocracy (1980s) – Mass Executions of Political Opponents
- Groups like the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) and others resisted Khomeini’s rule, demanding democracy.
- The regime responded with mass executions, culminating in the 1988 massacre, where over 30,000 political prisoners—mostly MEK members—were killed.
- Theocratic rule became deeply entrenched, with brutal repression eliminating all moderate and democratic forces.
7. The Green Movement (2009) – A Limited and Internal Protest
- Sparked by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s fraudulent re-election, millions protested under the slogan “Where is my vote?”
- Unlike previous uprisings, this movement was led by figures inside the regime, such as Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, both of whom had been complicit in the regime’s dictatorship for decades.
- While it expressed popular frustration, it did not seek to overthrow the regime but instead called for “reform” within the same oppressive system.
- The regime brutally suppressed the protests, but the movement’s lack of a clear revolutionary goal meant it did not pose a real threat to the Islamic Republic.
8. The November 2019 Uprising – A Massacre in the Streets
- Protests erupted after the government tripled fuel prices overnight.
- Demonstrators targeted the entire regime, chanting “Death to Khamenei” and rejecting both theocracy and monarchy.
- The regime killed over 1,500 protesters in just days, using live ammunition and mass arrests to suppress dissent.
9. The 2022 Mahsa Amini Uprising – “Woman, Life, Freedom”
- Sparked by the killing of Mahsa Amini by morality police for “improper hijab,” protests spread across more than 150 cities.
- Women played a leading role, demanding an end to religious dictatorship and a secular, democratic republic.
- The regime responded with brutal crackdowns, executions, and widespread repression.
- Despite its suppression, this uprising shifted global awareness and deepened Iran’s revolutionary movement.
Conclusion: The Struggle Continues
Iran’s history is one of repeated revolutions, crushed hopes, and enduring resistance. From Amir Kabir to Mossadegh, from 1979 to 2022, the Iranian people have never stopped fighting for freedom, democracy, and a secular republic. Each movement builds on the last, bringing Iran closer to liberation.
The question is not if Iran will be free, but when.