Witnessing the unrest in Iran since December 28, the international community cannot help but hope for stability to return in order and without further bloodshed in Iran, so that this nation of 88 million people can soon brighten up again like Persia of old.

Perhaps any ordinary person feels nostalgia and yearns for a “great Iran to return” when thinking of Iran’s current situation as well as over the past 47 years, since the Islamic Revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini established a theocratic regime here.

Economic Recession

The theocratic regime in Iran advocates a state-controlled economy and a foreign policy that has led to international sanctions, including from the United Nations. These sanctions stem from allegations that Tehran is developing nuclear weapons as well as human rights violations, support for terrorism, and causing instability in the region.

The desire for recovery, and then to “return to greatness,” begins with the economy, a common aspiration that the Iranian people along with many other nations are nurturing, including the people of France, Germany, and Poland who are now struggling to buy eggs for their daily meals.

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Iran’s economy continues to decline, people’s lives are increasingly difficult to the point that a regional media outlet on January 16 posed the question “Why is Iran’s economy in recession, leading to deadly protests?” and answered that “the collapse of the rial and soaring prices led to the first protest by shopkeepers in Tehran before protests against Iran’s ruling clergy spread.”

This television channel quoted a professor of economics: “Chronic corruption and poor economic management over decades have added to the misery of the majority of ordinary people.”

Specifically on a daily basis, Iranians face severe water shortages, power cuts, and serious air pollution, “factors that create a perfect economic storm,” the professor summarized.

The value of Iran’s rial, which nearly collapsed on December 28 when it fell to a record low against the dollar, sparked the protests. Economic and then political crises always provide an opportunity for foreign forces to intervene and subvert.

The currency crisis reveals mistakes in the Iranian government’s economic management. However, the Iranian authorities have recognized the problem, as the Supreme Leader stated on January 10 that the government is “trying to find ways to fix it.”

Allowing Foreign Intervention

One of the typical mistakes is Iran’s nuclear program, a factor directly leading to the UN Security Council imposing sanctions in December 2006. These measures focus on banning trade in nuclear technology and materials, while freezing the assets of individuals and organizations related to this field.

In subsequent years, the United Nations tightened sanctions and others followed suit. All this led to Iran signing a nuclear deal – the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015 with the US, UK, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the EU. Accordingly, Iran agreed not to enrich uranium and conduct nuclear research for 15 years.

The situation worsened further last September when UN sanctions against Iran were formally reinstated. This decision was made after the UN Security Council voted against permanently lifting economic sanctions on Iran.

Clashes between the Iranian government and the US began in 2018. The former US president reimposed all sanctions on Iran. Throughout his second term, Iran’s nuclear activities last year led the former president, as of mid-June 2025, to affirm more than a dozen times that Iran cannot be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.

Four days later, the US attacked three of Iran’s nuclear facilities. With this decisive move, the former president eliminated Iran’s nuclear threat and dispelled all concerns in considering decisions regarding Tehran.

The crackdown on protests over the past two weeks in Iran led to reactions from the former US president. On January 13, he wrote on his Truth Social account: “Patriots of Iran, keep protesting. Take back your institutions” along with a pledge that “help is coming.”

With the presence of a US aircraft carrier strike group in nearby waters, along with the assessment that Iran has lost its nuclear threat capability, Washington seems to be sending a signal guaranteeing the ultimate victory of the protesters.

Persia

Persia, historically referring to the vast empire centered in modern-day Iran, was one of the world’s most influential ancient civilizations, founded by the Achaemenids under Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BCE. Its rich legacy includes monumental sites like Persepolis and profound contributions to art, science, and governance. The name “Persia” was used internationally for the region until 1935, when the country officially requested to be called Iran.

Iran

Iran, historically known as Persia, is a country in Western Asia with one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, dating back to the Elamite kingdoms of the 4th millennium BCE. It is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the ancient capital of Persepolis, which was the ceremonial heart of the Achaemenid Empire founded by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BCE. Today, Iran’s rich cultural heritage is reflected in its architecture, poetry, and traditions, shaped by successive empires and its 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Tehran

Tehran is the capital and largest city of Iran, officially becoming the capital in 1786 under the Qajar dynasty. It is a major political, economic, and cultural center, home to significant historical sites like the Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site from the 19th century, and modern landmarks such as the Azadi Tower. The city’s history, however, stretches back centuries, with archaeological evidence of settlements dating to the pre-Islamic era.

Islamic Revolution

The Islamic Revolution refers to the 1979 mass uprising in Iran that overthrew the monarchy of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi and established the Islamic Republic under the leadership of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. It was driven by widespread opposition to the Shah’s secular, autocratic rule and Western influence, leading to a theocratic government based on Shia Islamic principles. This event reshaped Iran’s domestic and foreign policy and continues to define the country’s political and social identity.

Ayatollah Khomeini

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was the founder and first Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a position he held from the 1979 Iranian Revolution until his death in 1989. A senior Shi’a cleric, he led the revolution that overthrew the Pahlavi monarchy, establishing a theocratic government based on Islamic principles. His mausoleum on the outskirts of Tehran is a major pilgrimage and cultural site for his supporters.

United Nations

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945 after World War II to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations. Headquartered in New York City, it replaced the failed League of Nations and now comprises 193 member states working on global issues like human rights, development, and humanitarian aid.

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, is a 2015 international agreement between Iran and a group of world powers (P5+1). Its history stems from long-standing concerns over Iran’s nuclear program, with the deal designed to limit that program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. The agreement has faced significant challenges, including the U.S. withdrawal in 2018 under the Trump administration, leaving its future uncertain.

UN Security Council

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is the primary organ of the United Nations responsible for maintaining international peace and security. Established in 1945 following World War II, its founding is outlined in the UN Charter, granting it unique powers like authorizing sanctions, peacekeeping missions, and military action. It consists of 15 members, including five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US) with veto power, a structure reflecting the post-war global order.