News Center — For years, Iran has witnessed successive waves of popular protests that resurface whenever political, economic, and social crises deepen. With mounting internal pressure and deteriorating living conditions, thousands of citizens have taken to the streets across various cities to express their anger over government policies.

On Saturday, January 3, the Free Women of East Kurdistan Community (KJAR) issued a statement regarding the recent events unfolding in several Iranian cities, including cities in East Kurdistan. The statement said:
“Throughout history, women’s struggle against the ideology of the Iranian regime has continued to this day. This is an undeniable reality. Women hold a historical position in society in all its aspects, particularly in resolving problems, where they have made persistent efforts. However, throughout the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran, instead of opening the way to solving problems and overcoming crises, this nationalist, traditional, and religiously ideological system has consistently sought to silence democratic demands and undermine efforts to address them.”

The statement emphasized that due to the Iranian authorities’ adherence to a rigid ideology, society has faced deep crises that have hindered the development of democratic political life in Iran. It added that the authorities have failed to resolve internal problems, contributing to instability in the Middle East.

KJAR noted that this situation has led to widespread mass protests. In order to protect its power in the face of these protests, the Iranian authorities have resorted to various forms of violations and illegal practices, including arrests, torture, and executions, seeking to intimidate society by all means. In this context, and to justify attacks on demonstrations and social demands, the authorities prioritize security over solutions and move to increase military presence.

The statement further explained that alongside political and social crises, the Iranian authorities are facing a severe economic crisis. In addition to internal challenges, Iran is encountering negative reactions from the international community due to its misguided and authoritarian foreign policies. As a result, the reinstatement of sanctions on Iran has led to an unprecedented deterioration in the living conditions of the population. Meanwhile, the state has allocated all its economic and financial resources to serve the military policies of the Revolutionary Guard, increasing military budgets under the pretext of self-defense, while leaving the population facing hunger—fueling widespread public resentment.

The statement pointed out that as a result of the continuation of these policies, a new wave of protests and unrest erupted in the streets of many Iranian cities on December 28 and continues to this day. While protests have existed and will continue, this new wave has its own distinct characteristics and represents a new phase that must be taken seriously.

KJAR concluded that due to the internal crisis created by the authorities, it is no longer possible to easily prevent such uprisings. The statement stressed:
“The fundamental issue is the need to resolve these problems with a democratic mindset, by listening to the people and their demands. If these problems are not resolved democratically, the Iranian people possess the awareness and capacity to determine their own destiny. Ultimately, the most viable path to democracy lies in enabling the people to reach a level of awareness, decision-making, and self-governance