WAN – Journalist Şahla Mihemedî stated that Kurds and Baloch in Iran briefly kept their distance from protests due to debates over support for the son of the deposed Shah. “It is unclear what kind of democracy is being sought. Kurds and Baloch do not want to return to the Shah period,” she said.

 

Amid a deepening economic crisis, rising living costs, and political pressure, protests have spread nationwide despite harsh intervention by state forces. Demonstrations have been reported in cities such as Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, and the region of Rojhilat, with thousands chanting “Bread, freedom, justice.” Security forces allegedly used live ammunition, rubber bullets, and heavy tear gas.

 

According to rights groups, about 7 thousand people, including women and children, have been killed, thousands injured, and tens of thousands detained. Units of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have reportedly carried out home raids, detained wounded individuals in hospitals, and pressured families during the return of bodies.

 

‘FAMILIES ARE ASKED FOR 300 MILLION TOMAN’

 

Sharing her assessment with Mezopotamya Agency (MA) Şahla Mihemedî said authorities imposed severe measures after the protests, including demanding 300 million toman from families of detainees. “More than 12,000 people may have been killed according to some sources, though human rights data suggests around 7,000. The regime confirms over 3,000 deaths. Arrest numbers are also extremely high. Homes are raided daily and families threatened,” she said, adding that in Shiraz nearly every family reportedly has a detained child.

 

She described the fines as arbitrary and claimed some detainees were killed in custody, while others died shortly after release after allegedly receiving unknown injections.

 

‘UNIVERSITY BOYCOTTS ARE SPREADING’

 

Şahla Mihemedî noted widespread power and internet outages and said a university boycott is expanding. A student platform reported that the bodies of about 50 unidentified women were being held in morgues, while families struggle to obtain information. “Psychologists say society is experiencing severe trauma. Yet resistance continues. Young people are boycotting universities and regime-affiliated schools, and education has largely come to a halt,” she said.

 

‘PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING TO SURVIVE’

 

She added that outages have paralyzed daily life and slowed market activity. While authorities prepare events marking the regime’s anniversary, public anger remains high. Şahla Mihemedî said: “People openly say they will not participate. Internet access is limited and expensive, worsening economic hardship. Many say, ‘We can’t live like before.’ Normal life no longer exists in Iran.”

 

‘WHAT KIND OF DEMOCRACY IS DESIRED?’

 

Şahla Mihemedî said Kurds and Baloch are showing solidarity but are cautious about mass participation, partly due to skepticism toward Reza Pahlavi, son of the former Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. “They remember the repression faced by marginalized peoples under the Shah family and do not want to return to that era. This has created anxiety and led some groups to keep their distance from demonstrations,” she explained, noting that protests in Kurdish areas still emerged in response to deaths. She also said opposition groups lack unity, contributing to public pessimism.

 

‘THE GLOBAL SYSTEM DOES NOT SEEK CHANGE’

 

Şahla Mihemedî argued that policies associated with Donald Trump angered the public, saying initial warnings were not followed by action despite rising casualties. “Global powers may prefer the current system for their interests. Continued instability and controlled oil sales benefit some actors,” she said, adding that Tehran ultimately entered talks with the United States, though details remain unclear.

 

‘PEOPLE NO LONGER TRUST EXTERNAL POWERS’

 

Şahla Mihemedî claimed international actors failed to show strong reactions and alleged that some weapons used against protesters originated from countries such as Germany, which maintain commercial ties. “People saw how they were abandoned and have lost trust in foreign powers,” she said.

 

‘CHANGE WILL COME’

 

Warning that a military intervention could destabilize the wider region, Şahla Mihemedî added that Türkiye also does not favor change in Iran due to potential ripple effects across Kurdish regions. She concluded: “People want change, but the path to democracy is not yet open. Change will happen, though how and in what form remains to be seen.”

 

MA / Zeynep Durgut