The death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian-Kurdish woman who died while in the custody of the morality police last September, ignited protests throughout Iran. Since then, videos and images have emerged of large youth-led protests on the streets of Tehran and other provinces conducting acts of civil disobedience such as removing headscarves and chanting “death to dictator.” Male counterparts have equally participated in the movement signifying much wider support for the regime to relax its mandates. Work stoppages from teachers, drivers, and shop owners in the bazaars looked to be the cusp of an approaching general strike, conceivably adding more ground swell for political and social reforms.
Today the protests continue but in smaller numbers and more directed towards the ongoing mock trials and public executions, which the regime remains adamant about staging. With Iran becoming more economically and politically isolated, can the regime survive domestically and regionally? Although largely leaderless and youth-led, why did Mahsa Amini’s death spark enormous political and social resistance toward Ali Khamenei? What are the long and short term objectives of the Iranian Gen Z-ers: reform or regime change? Will this help or further diminish Western relations with Iran?
Joining us to analyze these questions is Ms. Suzanne Kianpour, Emmy nominated journalist, lecturer on Public Diplomacy at UCLA, and a senior non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council focusing on Iran; Dr. Firoozeh Kashani-Sabet, Walter H. Annenberg Professor of History; Ali Vaez, Ph.D Iran Project Director and Senior Adviser to the President at the International Crisis Group; and moderating is Dr. Kelly J. Shannon, Associate Professor of History the Chastain-Johnston Middle Eastern Studies and Distinguished Professor of Peace Studies at Florida Atlantic University.
