Iran’s five-decade turbulent history of protests and unrest

International Desk: PNN

The ongoing protests in Iran have again drawn international attention. The government and opposition are accusing each other of inciting violence. Tehran has also claimed foreign interference behind these movements. Analysts suggest this is the latest phase of a continuous series of movements against Iran’s ruling system since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Following the fall of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979, the country has undergone successive political, military, and economic crises. In the same year, relations with the United States sharply deteriorated, and after the US embassy takeover and hostage crisis in Tehran, Washington imposed the first round of sanctions.

In 1980, the Iran-Iraq war began, lasting eight years and resulting in nearly half a million deaths. The war deeply damaged Iranian society and economy. In 1988, 290 people died when a passenger plane of Iran Air was shot down by the US Navy.

In the 1990s, major earthquakes, renewed US sanctions, and regional tensions intensified Iran’s crises. After 2000, the country became embroiled in intense disputes with the West over its nuclear program. From 2006 onwards, UN and US sanctions further hit Iran’s economy, affecting the lives of ordinary citizens.

The historic nuclear deal (JCPOA) signed in 2015 provided some relief, but the US withdrawal in 2018 reignited tensions. Rising inflation, currency depreciation, and unemployment fueled public discontent.

In recent years, regional conflicts, the assassination of top military officials, attacks on key state facilities, and direct confrontations with Israel in 2024–25 have added new dimensions to the crisis. Analysts believe the current protests are not spontaneous but reflect long-standing political tensions, economic crises, and social dissatisfaction. The outcome depends on government measures, opposition strategies, and international geopolitics.