By Arian Mufid:

Protest in Iranian Kurdistan, October 2022

Iran is governed as an Islamic theocracy, where the Supreme Leader has ultimate authority over the military, judiciary, and major policies. Khomani and his regime of terror came to power in 1979 with the help of western world and since then Iran exporting their terror all over the world.  Khomeini died on 2005 and Ali Khamenei, had ruled since 1989. Ali Khameni was killed in a U.S.–Israeli strike in February 2026, during escalating tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. This has created a major leadership vacuum and uncertainty about who will control the state. Other key power centers still exist: the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) the clerical establishment the presidency (currently Masoud Pezeshkian) These factions could compete for power as the political system tries to stabilize. On 8 March, Khameni’s son, Mojtaba, was appointed to succeed him as Supreme Leader.

Iran has been experiencing nationwide protests since late 2025 economic collapse, inflation has rising by 40%, currency devaluation, inflation and shortages, anger at the ruling system The demonstrations spread to over 100 cities and are considered the largest challenge to the government since the 1979 revolution. Many protests began with economic grievances but soon turned into explicit anti-government protests questioning the legitimacy of the ruling elite. Authorities have responded with extreme repression: mass arrests, shootings of protesters, internet shutdowns, executions and death sentences. Estimates of the death toll from the crackdown vary widely: sources close to Kurdistan Tribune inside Iran suggest tens of thousands were killed during the unrest. Human rights groups say the repression has been one of the deadliest in decades. Iran’s economy is under severe stress due to several factors: international sanctions, currency collapse The rapid fall of the Iranian currency (rial) and price shocks were major drivers of the recent protests. The government also shut down much of the internet during the protests, which hurt businesses and financial activity. The “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement that began in 2022 still influences protests. Many activists oppose:

Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhelat) is significant because it sits at the intersection of Kurdistan’s Historic identity, political struggle and regional geopolitics. A flashpoint for political resistance especially today. Its importance comes from comination demography with culture heritage, strategic geography and its central role in contemporary movements for rights and autonomy. There is an estimated 8–10 million Kurds living across the provinces of West Azerbaijan, Kermanshah, Ilam, and Hamadan—the official provincial capital—but Kermanshah is strategically important, and Mahabad carries deep historical symbolism. It was the birthplace of the Republic of Mahabad in 1946, the most iconic attempt at establishing a Kurdish state, led by Qazi Muhammad. He later became the leader of the republic and was executed by Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi after its collapse.