The cessation of US and Israeli strikes has brought relief in Iran, but many Iranians who supported these strikes are beginning to realize their miscalculations. They believed that the war would lead to swift political change, but the reality has been devastating.
Leila, a 25-year-old, states, "I thought the Islamic Republic would finally come to an end." She adds that she believed the strikes would be short and decisive, leading to political change. "I even thought that the US and Israel had already reached an agreement with Reza Pahlavi regarding Iran's future," says Leila, who is identified by a pseudonym for her safety.
Details of the Event
In the early days of the conflict, some Iranian opponents of the ruling regime saw Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu as potential forces for change, although this seemed unlikely. However, as the war continued and the extent of the destruction became clear, those expectations faded significantly. Leila questioned, "Why were bridges targeted? Why were railway lines destroyed?"
In January, during the peak of widespread protests against the regime, Trump used social media to inform protesters that help was on the way. However, he later told Iran, "A whole civilization will be destroyed tonight, and it will never return," before retracting and agreeing to a ceasefire.
Background & Context
Historically, Iran has witnessed numerous protests against the regime, with protests escalating in January due to rising prices, leading to widespread demonstrations. The government reported that 3,117 people were killed, while independent human rights organizations estimated the death toll to be over 7,000.
Leila states, "In just two months, we went from 'help is on the way' to threats of destroying Iranian civilization." These rapid shifts in political rhetoric have profoundly affected people's sentiments, as many realized that hope for change might be nothing more than an illusion.
Impact & Consequences
Maryam, 47, who did not share in the early optimism, speaks about the futility of war. "Only blind people can think that a war started by Trump and Netanyahu will bring us freedom," she says. She adds, "Have we not seen Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria? How can anyone believe this would be different?"
The Israeli and American strikes have devastated energy infrastructure, bridges, factories, hospitals, and universities, making the reconstruction of the country nearly impossible.
Regional Significance
The events in Iran are indicative of rising tensions in the region, with many Arabs closely monitoring the situation. The conflict in Iran could impact regional stability, especially with external powers seeking to advance their interests.
In conclusion, it seems that many Iranians who supported the war have now realized that the hope for rapid change was merely a mirage. The lessons learned from this experience may influence how they think about the future, both regarding the ruling regime and external powers.