Woman, Life, Freedom in Iran

Abstract Iran’s traumatised ‘Burnt Generation’ hoped that peaceful reform would eventually bring real change in the Islamic Republic’s repressive policies and ‘morality policing’. Despite the occasional tilt towards reform, however, the clerical autocracy invariably reasserted itself with brutal crackdowns and rigged elections. But the regime could not address the root causes of popular dissatisfaction. When Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman from Iran’s Kurdistan region, died in custody after being arrested for improperly wearing her hijab, a national wave of protests arose. Less scarred than the Burnt Generation but still burdened with repression, corruption and international sanctions, Amini’s generation is more willing to court risk. In addition, social media have offset organisational deficits and encouraged Iranians to forge solidarity. The new generation of dissenters now seems ready to match the fervour of the regime’s supporters. This is potentially a strategic shift that could drastically change Iran’s political landscape.