The Stream

The Islamic Republic at 40: What does the future hold for Iran?

Leaders face a challenge to live up to the ideals of the 1979 revolution as Iranians voice discontent at government.

Events are taking place across Iran to mark 40 years since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which sent Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi into exile and ended more than 2500 years of Persian monarchy. The commemorations will culminate with Victory Day on February 11 – exactly four decades after revolutionaries loyal to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini won control of state television channels and the military abandoned its support for the Shah and declared itself neutral.

The revolutionaries have remained in control of the country ever since. But while Iran has weathered continuous opposition from successive US administrations – including the ever-present spectre of US-led military action to topple the leadership – in recent years it has also faced discontent at home. While some Iranians say the ideas of the revolution must be carried forward to guard against foreign interference, others say successive Iranian governments have been as corrupt and discriminatory as during the time of the Shah.

Sanctions recently re-imposed by the United States following its unilateral exit from a much-heralded nuclear deal struck by Iran and Western powers have led to a sharp rise in inflation and pushed many Iranians into hardship – leaving President Hassan Rouhani with precious little room to manoeuvre.

As Iranians mark 40 years since the Islamic Revolution, The Stream will look back at the seismic changes Khomeini brought to the country, consider whether the ideals of the Revolution still hold, and ask what aspirations Iranians hold for the future. Join the conversation.

On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:
Narges Bajoghli @nargesbajoghli  
Assistant professor, SAIS, Johns Hopkins
nargesbajoghli.com

Saeid Jafari @jafariysaeid
Journalist, Al-Monitor
al-monitor.com

Setareh Sadeqi @leelako
PhD candidate, University of Tehran

Peyman Jafari @JafariPeyman
Historian

Read more:
Why Iran’s Grand Bazaar has gone from hotbed of revolution to conservative hub – The Independent
Iran’s first president: We will achieve the original aims of the revolution – Washington Post

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