Iran, after the heavy defeat of the Republican Party in the U.S. midterm elections, witnessed protest gatherings in Tehran's Revolution Square. In these gatherings, regime supporters expressed their reaction to the election results by burning banners displaying images of Donald Trump and other American officials.
Iranian Leaders' Interpretation of Election Results
Iranian officials quickly reacted to the election results, considering it a sign of the failure of Trump's belligerent policies against Iran. Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, stated that the process of America's decline has accelerated, reinforcing a sense of victory among regime supporters.
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Feelings of Despair Among Iranians
However, within the country, Iranians are clearly expressing feelings of worry and despair. Mahnaz, a journalist based in Tehran, points out that people are looking towards the U.S. and Israel in search of change, but in her view, these hopes are unrealistic. She says: "I am really worried. About what? I still don’t know. It’s a strange feeling."
Some of the people Mahnaz has spoken to believe that Trump's defeat could increase the likelihood of another war. However, she is concerned about the continuation of executions and repression in Iran, which is still on the rise. According to a report by Iran Human Rights, officials in the country have executed at least 696 people this year.
Everyday Life Under Repression
Alborz, a 36-year-old writer in Tehran, addresses how ordinary life in Iran is far removed from alarming realities. He says: "In stores, people are still shopping, but real shopping has become very rare. Prices have skyrocketed, and a t-shirt now costs as much as a handmade item."
Navar, a 24-year-old resident of Karaj who was imprisoned for three weeks for participating in protests, finds the feeling of despair evident among his peers and says: "They [the regime] have well-established their machinery of repression, and this repression will continue even in calm conditions."
Moein, a doctor in central Iran, points out that the power and loyalty of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have been underestimated, believing that this institution has the capability to face challenges. He adds: "It is a shame that a country with such power kills its youth in the streets."
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