The economic crisis has become more visible in the last 2 years in Iran, which has been isolated in the international arena due to the regime's exportation, where the nature and practices of the regime have created discontent among large segments of the population. In Iran, where the "jin, jiyan, azadî" protests, which started with the murder of Jina Emînî by Irshad patrols on the grounds that "her hair was visible", caused social discontent and economic crisis at the highest level, the increase in military expenditures due to the Israel-Hamas, Israel-Hezbollah conflict caused the economic crisis to become even more apparent. While it is reflected in the official data that there has been a 2-fold increase in military expenditures in the last year, the dollar has increased from 72 divisions to 92 divisions in the last month.

 

The increasing social discontent in Iran and the possible military intervention of the USA and Israel have brought the question of how the future of the regime will be shaped in Iran back to the agenda. Evaluating the possible effects of the current situation in Iran on the regime in Iran to Mesopotamia Agency (MA), Jino Victoria Doabi, a political scientist from Rojhilat, pointed out that there have been multiple crises and wars in the Middle East for years. Jino Doabi said, "The Middle East is a region characterized by historical, economic, and geopolitical tensions, where several factors contribute to ongoing instability. Colonial border demarcations have created state formations that have come at a high cost to minorities and resulted in systematic oppression. This instability has led to the neglect of the population while those in power have maintained a policy - or rather, a war against the population in the Middle East - that worsens social and economic conditions. The Islamic Republic of Iran plays a central role in this dynamic. In addition to oppressing its own 90 million citizens, the regime has actively invested in regional destabilization through proxy activities."

 

'REGIME POLICIES ARE THE CAUSE OF THE CRISIS IN IRAN'

 

Stating that Iran is experiencing multiple crises, Jino Doabi stated that the main cause of the crisis in the country is the mistakes of the regime and the ignoring of human rights. Jino Doabi pointed out that Iran is pouring all resources into the war and added, "Instead of using the country’s vast natural resources to improve the quality of life for its population, the regime has prioritized military investments and the financing of proxy groups such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, Hamas, and various militant groups in Iraq and Syria. This has not only sustained internal oppression but also led to international isolation, which has further worsened the economic situation - something only the regime itself is responsible for. The social unrest is inextricably linked to the regime’s brutal control over the population. The repression affects all Iranians but is particularly brutal against political opponents, women, and ethnic minorities."

 

'DEMAND DOWNFALL OF THE REGIME'

 

Faced with multiple crises, Iran is stepping up repression against the Baluch and Kurds said Jino Doabi and added, "The young Iranians between the ages of 15-35 make up 60% of the population in Iran. Through social media, they can closely observe how others live and see that their human rights are being violated from the moment they wake up until they go to sleep. This is what they protest against, demanding the ultimate downfall of the regime. This is not limited to the youth - it cuts across social classes, ethnic groups, political and religious beliefs, age, and gender. The regime in Iran has for decades used the death penalty as a tool to spread fear and maintain its power, but after the uprising, the pace of executions has accelerated. Kurds and Baluchis have historically been among the most resistant to the regime’s authority, and therefore they are used as examples to instill fear in the rest of the population. The goal is to create an atmosphere of terror where no one dares to challenge those in power. The only real solution to this systematic oppression is a revolution, as the regime has repeatedly shown that it is not reformable. The power structure is centered around Khamenei’s supreme leadership, and as long as this system exists, any form of reform will be impossible."

 

'IRAN ALREADY ON BRINK OF COLLAPSE'

 

Jino Doabi said, "Iran is already on the brink of collapse, so this is no longer just a hypothesis but a reality. Democratization for women means having a real voice in decision-making processes and a constitution that guarantees their rights. For Kurds, Baluchis, and other minorities, democratization means being recognized as equal citizens and having a seat at the decision-making table. They have historically been subjected to massive discrimination and systematic exclusion, and if a new political order in Iran does not recognize their rights, it will not be accepted by the population. A just solution requires a secular and democratic system where all population groups are ensured their freedoms."

 

Jino Doabi said that Iran has increased its military spending many times over in recent years, and stressed: "The regime uses military investments as a tool to maintain its power, both internally and externally. The new investments in weapons and military technology serve a dual purpose: internally, they are used to suppress demonstrations, while externally, they signal strength to enemies such as Israel and the United States. However, this strategy is not sustainable. The rapid devaluation of the toman shows that the population has lost confidence in the economy. Economic collapse and growing public resistance will sooner or later put the regime in a position where it can no longer maintain control."

 

'PATH TO FREEDOM IN MIDDLE EAST GOES THROUGH WOMEN'

 

Underlining that women are the solution to the problems in the Middle East, Jino Doabi continued her speech as follows: "Women’s movements, the working class, and students play a crucial role in the fight for change, and we are already seeing how popular movements in Iran dare to challenge the most powerful institution in the region: Islam as a political system. "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî" is a Kurdish slogan that now extends far beyond Kurdistan and resonates in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Afghanistan, and even in India and Lebanon. The movement has become a global symbol of freedom, showing that the struggle for human rights in the Middle East is inextricably linked to women’s fight for freedom.

International sanctions against the regime’s elite also play a crucial role. Sanctions targeting those in power increase the pressure for change and weaken the regime’s ability to oppress its people. A combination of internal uprisings and external pressure will be essential in ensuring lasting change."

 

MA / Berivan Kutlu