By Mogamat Amen Strydom
The recent protests in Iran began as legitimate expressions of public frustration over worsening economic conditions but later escalated after being infiltrated by armed local and foreign elements, according to senior researcher Na’eem Jeenah.
Speaking to VOC News, Jeenah said the initial demonstrations were driven by genuine grievances related to the rising cost of living, currency devaluation, and prolonged economic pressure. He noted that Iran’s political leadership had acknowledged early on that the concerns raised by protesters were valid.
“These were real protests with real grievances,” Jeenah explained, adding that economic hardship has become a daily reality for many Iranians.
However, he said the character of the protests shifted about a week after they began, when armed groups became involved. Jeenah pointed to the participation of local Iranian groups, including the Kurdish armed organisation PJAK and Baloch separatist groups, which have claimed responsibility for some of the violence. He said this phase of unrest included attacks on mosques, banks, and government buildings, as well as assaults on police and emergency services.
Jeenah added that foreign involvement further intensified the situation. He said Israel had publicly claimed that Mossad agents were operating inside Iran, while weapons and thousands of Starlink satellite devices were reportedly smuggled into the country. According to Jeenah, this contributed to both escalating violence and intensified information warfare.
“What we saw was genuine protest action being hijacked for other political objectives, including foreign political objectives,” he said.
Turning to Iran’s economic crisis, Jeenah stressed that international sanctions remain the primary driver of the country’s financial struggles. He said Iran has endured nearly five decades of sustained sanctions, which have severely weakened the economy. While corruption and elite interests have also played a role, Jeenah argued that sanctions have had the most damaging impact.
He noted that conditions worsened after sanctions were reimposed following the collapse of the Iran nuclear deal, and again in September 2025, when earlier sanctions were reinstated. Shortly before the protests erupted, Iran’s currency experienced a sharp decline, further intensifying public hardship.
Although the Iranian government has pledged to address economic concerns, Jeenah questioned the feasibility of meaningful reform without sanctions relief. He warned that unrest is likely to persist as long as economic pressure continues.
Despite ongoing hardship, Jeenah noted that millions of Iranians later took part in demonstrations opposing foreign interference, highlighting the complexity of public sentiment amid both internal challenges and external pressures.
VOC News
Photo: Pexels
