Despite the intensity of state violence in Iran – with 185 people reported to have been killed in the ongoing protests, as security forces attack demonstrators, according to an Iranian human rights group – many participants remained optimistic.
“I’ve seen many protests in Iran before, but I hope with the support of the world, maybe this time we will be able to achieve something,” said Ali Reza, a 50-year-old businessman, outside the Iranian embassy. “The [Iranian] government has absolutely no excuse for these violent actions.”
In a recent interview on Iranian state TV, the country’s president Ebrahim Raisi described the protests as “chaos” that would not be accepted. “Whoever participated and ignited the chaos and riots will be held to account,” he warned.
But the protesters – both in Iran and in Ukraine – remain resolute in their fight for justice and equality.
“Women in Iran don’t have the right to live like normal, we don’t have a normal life,” said Miranna, a 31-year-old Iranian resident of Kyiv, who did not want her last name published. “The protests aren’t just about women, but we face more pressure than men and that makes life so hard for us,” she explained.
For Somi, an Iranian student living in Kyiv who also gave only her first name due to out of safety concerns, stressed that while she and the other demonstrators in Kyiv are not on the ground in Iran, the protesteors there have her full support.
“I want the women in Iran to know we are with them and for the world to know that this government does not represent the wishes of the Iranian people,” she said. “What we want is peace and justice.”
“All of us have one wish; we want to have a democratic and liberal government where we could actually have a say”, explained Farokhiyan. “Right now, the [Iranian] government decides for 88 million people, and we want to change that. We want 88 million people to choose the government, so that it could finally be our voice.”
But back in Kyiv, it’s likely that these Iranians will see the effects of their country’s munitions more often.
Iranian drones are believed to have been used during the mass rocket attack against Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, on 10 October.
Shortly after, Ukrainian military intelligence claimed that the Russian military had transported several dozen Shahed-136 drones to neighbouring Belarus – within easy striking distance of the Ukrainian capital.
Comments
We encourage anyone to comment, please consult the oD commenting guidelines if you have any questions.