Has Iran’s Ceasefire Become a Green Light for Repression? |
An indefinite ceasefire in Iran was supposed to bring relief. Instead, it has made things worse.
This pivotal pause has allowed the regime to regroup, re-strategize, and reinforce strengthened authority. Naturally, fear has gripped Iran.
These words from an anonymous, terrified Iranian mother perhaps sum up the current situation better than I can: “I am now more afraid than ever for our future, because we don’t know what awaits after this ceasefire, and whether it will lead to even harsher and darker repression than before.”
I was born in Iran at the revolution’s start and am privileged to lead Transform Iran. I’ve seen firsthand how this ceasefire has only worsened the climate of control over the people. Iranians are not happy about the reprieve of war. They are deeply disheartened.
The number of government checkpoints has increased in recent weeks. Executions have intensified. We’ve also received on-the-ground reports of militants recruited from Iraq, Lebanon, and Afghanistan, who allegedly have seized control of the streets, shouting Islamic propaganda slogans to instill an atmosphere of intimidation for the common people, now afraid to leave their homes.
The Iranian government is actively preparing for further attacks, revealing yet again its unwavering global ambitions. In the words of an elderly citizen: “Unlike us Iranians, the United States and........