Unrest in Iran Sends Waves of Uncertainty Across the Region

Author: Editors Desk Source: Del Spiegel

October 18, 2022 at 09:05

Students without headscarves in front of a photo of Iran's leaders Khomeini und Khamenei. Foto: SalamPix / Abaca Press / ddp

With each victim in Iran, the question as to how the West should react becomes more pressing. Experts are skeptical that the end is nigh for the regime in Tehran – and the country's nuclear ambitions remain a concern.

Asalouyeh, a dusty gas and oil town on the Persian Gulf, has only ever really held a place in Iran’s industrial history. But on Monday, hundreds of workers protested in front of the gates of a large petrochemical factory there. "Death to the dictator!" they chanted. "It will be a bloody year!"

Sanandaj, the capital of the Kurdistan province of northwestern Iran: Gunfire can be heard in brief clips posted to Twitter, while tanks and explosions are visible. Armed men are apparently firing on demonstrators in the clips. The authenticity of the videos is just as difficult to verify as the number of victims. Human rights groups report that there have been a number of deaths and injuries.

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