Global Protests Supporting Democracy: Anti-Government Movements, and International Response in 2026

The Context: Iran’s Political Landscape in 2026

Historical Background of Iran’s Regime

Iran’s political landscape has been marked by decades of tension between reformist and conservative forces, with the Islamic Revolution of 1979 establishing the current theocratic regime led by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Since then, Iran’s political system has combined religious authority with limited parliamentary democracy, but real power remains concentrated within the Supreme Leader and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The 2019-2023 Protests and Their Legacy

Mass protests erupted in late 2019 over economic hardship, political repression, and social injustice. These protests were met with brutal crackdowns, but they laid the groundwork for renewed activism in 2026, fueled by economic sanctions, corruption scandals, and human rights abuses.

February 15, 2026 | 7:18 pm