While the attacks carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran continue, it is reported that nearly 7,000 civilians have lost their lives in the strikes. Journalist Shirahmad Shirani, who evaluated for Mezopotamya Agency (MA) how the peoples of Iran are being affected by both the US-Israeli attacks and the regime’s repression, recalled that people had already taken to the streets to change the regime before the war.

 

Shirani, editor of the Haalvsh Agency in Iran’s Baluchistan Province, said: “In January, the people of Iran held widespread protests across the country. These protests were brutally suppressed by the government; tens of thousands were killed and hundreds of thousands were injured or detained. After these events and the massacre of people within the country, many began to believe that the people alone cannot overthrow this regime without foreign intervention. Therefore, the majority are now waiting for the regime to collapse and be overthrown.”

 

‘PEOPLE ARE WAITING FOR THE WAR TO END WITH FEAR AND HOPE’

 

Stating that people in Iran are currently in a state of expectation, Shirani said: “The public fears that the United States will leave the regime intact and that the people will again face repression by the government. At the same time, they carry the hope that the government could fall.”

 

Shirani noted that demands for change among the peoples of Iran have existed for years: “There has long been a demand for change among the peoples of Iran. If the rigid structure of the Iranian regime, including its top military and political institutions, collapses and the apparatus of repression is dismantled, parties and the people can complete the process. In particular, Baloch people, Kurds, Arabs, Persians, Turks, Lurs and other ethnic groups and nationalities could play an active role.”

 

‘PEOPLE SEE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY’

 

Shirani said the public has grown weary of the regime’s repressive policies: “People see this situation as an opportunity to get rid of the government. At the moment the public does not trust the government because they know it cannot be reformed and that it is focused only on maintaining its power and authority.”

 

Pointing out that the regime’s repression has led some people to the point of “applauding foreign military intervention,” Shirani said the solution lies in equality among peoples.

 

“The peoples of Iran—especially ethnic groups including Baloch, Kurds, Turks and Arabs—are seeking a system in which power is not centralized and where all nations have equal rights regardless of language, culture, religion or nationality, and where society will not again fall under the dominance of an oppressive sect,” he said.

 

Emphasizing that almost all segments of society in Iran face repression from the regime, Shirani added: “The peoples see this as an opportunity to overcome this oppression while protecting the territorial integrity of the country. They want to live together with all nations in peace and fraternity, while preserving their dignity and ensuring their rights.”

 

‘IRAN CANNOT RETURN TO ITS PREVIOUS CONDITIONS’

 

“It is not possible to make a definitive analysis at the moment. However, one thing is certain: Iran will not return to its previous conditions,” Shirani said.

 

He continued: “If this war results in the fall of the mullahs’ regime, the shadow of a rogue government that has held the peace and security of the Middle East and the world hostage will be lifted from everyone. This would benefit not only the people of Iran and the region but the entire world. However, if this government remains in power and the process is left unfinished, it will become even more rebellious and emboldened thanks to its vast oil and gas resources and will continue its destructive actions in the region and the world. This would pose a serious danger to the security of all countries in the region and beyond.”

 

‘WE HOPE FOR EQUAL COEXISTENCE OF IRAN’S PEOPLES’

 

Shirani noted that many different beliefs, peoples and social groups live in Iran: “Our hope is that all peoples will be freed from the oppressive rule of the mullahs. We want people in Iran to live in the future as free individuals with justice and equality, preserving their dignity and honor. We hope our peoples will live together in peace and security and build good and peaceful relations with the peoples of the world.”

 

MA / Berivan Kutlu