Iranian people rising up against their regime

ThatRobGuy · Jan 2, 2026

Nithavela said:
I don't know if I would call moving from a religious pseudo-democracy to a full-on dictatorship an upgrade. More a sidegrade. People in the cities might enjoy more personal freedoms, but there were reasons why people rose up against the last Shah, and those weren't just because of islamic fundamentalism.

I think a real democracy would be nice. But I don't really see that happening.

The Shah's son wouldn't represent a dictatorship.

If you review view his positions on certain matters, He's a secularist like his father, but is more in-tune with liberal democratic principles, and envisions the "throne" in more of a modern British sense, where it's more like a unifying figurehead with very limited powers. (and he's already saying he would only want to do it on a transitional interim basis)

He still seems to have a lot of popularity over there in Iran (both from young people, and the older people who are around during the time of his dad)

Keeping in mind his family was exiled when he was still a teenager. He spent the majority of his life living in Egypt, Sweden, and the US (He's a graduate of USC)

His dad was already moving in that direction before he got overthrown. For those who remember the history his dad had appointed a liberal democracy advocate as Prime Minister shortly before the overthrow happened.

While the reasons people overthrew him weren't exclusively matters of Islamic fundamentalism, there was a significant amount of bogus propaganda spread about him by the Islamic fundamentalists to appeal to the "radical young crowd"

Pahlavi has said that he has no intention to take a long-term leadership role in Iran should the current regime fall. He has said the Iranian people must choose the form of rule they prefer, whether constitutional monarchy or a republic,[73] and that a referendum should be held to decide.[73] Pahlavi has said that after the Islamic revolution in 1979, he concluded the merit of "separation of religion from state as a primordial principle and precondition to democratic order".[73] Pahlavi told to the BBC in an interview that he prefers that Iran would choose to become a republic since he views it as more meritocratic.[74] According to a GAMAAN poll of 158,000 Iranians, 80% of Iranians wish to replace the Islamic Republic with a democratic government.[73][75] The GAMAAN poll also found Reza Pahlavi is the top candidate to form a transitionary solidarity council of Iran, acquiring between 32 and 40 percent of support among 34 candidates.

Nithavela · Jan 2, 2026

ThatRobGuy said:
The Shah's son wouldn't represent a dictatorship.

If you review view his positions on certain matters, He's a secularist like his father, but is more in-tune with liberal democratic principles, and envisions the "throne" in more of a modern British sense, where it's more like a unifying figurehead with very limited powers. (and he's already saying he would only want to do it on a transitional interim basis)

He still seems to have a lot of popularity over there in Iran (both from young people, and the older people who are around during the time of his dad)

Keeping in mind his family was exiled when he was still a teenager. He spent the majority of his life living in Egypt, Sweden, and the US (He's a graduate of USC)

His dad was already moving in that direction before he got overthrown. For those who remember the history his dad had appointed a liberal democracy advocate as Prime Minister shortly before the overthrow happened.

While the reasons people overthrew him weren't exclusively matters of Islamic fundamentalism, there was a significant amount of bogus propaganda spread about him by the Islamic fundamentalists to appeal to the "radical young crowd"

Pahlavi has said that he has no intention to take a long-term leadership role in Iran should the current regime fall. He has said the Iranian people must choose the form of rule they prefer, whether constitutional monarchy or a republic,[73] and that a referendum should be held to decide.[73] Pahlavi has said that after the Islamic revolution in 1979, he concluded the merit of "separation of religion from state as a primordial principle and precondition to democratic order".[73] Pahlavi told to the BBC in an interview that he prefers that Iran would choose to become a republic since he views it as more meritocratic.[74] According to a GAMAAN poll of 158,000 Iranians, 80% of Iranians wish to replace the Islamic Republic with a democratic government.[73][75] The GAMAAN poll also found Reza Pahlavi is the top candidate to form a transitionary solidarity council of Iran, acquiring between 32 and 40 percent of support among 34 candidates.

The guys the USA gave Iraq and Afghanistan to also talked a good game. I'll believe it when I see it (though I doubt I'll actually see anything).

Landon Caeli · Jan 2, 2026

MarcusGregor said:
So, for the record, had the National Guard followed through on Trump's proposal to "shoot [protestors] in the legs" you would have praised the protestors for using their "gun rights" who shot back at the National Guard?

Do you think it was "gun rights" that stopped the National Guard from shooting protestors in the legs or was it something else?

Of course shooting protesters in the legs would escalate the situation to a ground war, that's why gun rights are so important - because it stops the government from shooting at citizens.

Hans Blaster · Jan 2, 2026

Landon Caeli said:
Of course shooting protesters in the legs would escalate the situation to a ground war, that's why gun rights are so important - because it stops the government from shooting at citizens.

Do you think we'll invade Iran if they shoot some protestors in the legs?

Vambram · Jan 2, 2026

GoldenBoy89 said:
You support Iranians rising up against their government but complain when Americans do that here against ours.

No, I don't complain.

Landon Caeli · Jan 2, 2026

Hans Blaster said:
Do you think we'll invade Iran if they shoot some protestors in the legs?

Of course not.

essentialsaltes · Jan 2, 2026

Landon Caeli said:
Nobody is shooting illegals on the streets, and you know it.

Right, they're shooting citizens.

Federal prosecutors drop charges against Marimar Martinez, woman shot by CBP agent in Chicago

In a statement on the decision to dismiss the charges, U.S. Attorney's office spokesman Joseph Fitzpatrick said in a statement that federal prosecutors are "constantly evaluating new facts and information relating to cases and investigations arising out of Operation Midway Blitz, the largest ever law enforcement surge in the Northern District of Illinois."

In a court filing, her attorneys pointed to body camera video they said shows the agent turned his wheel and caused the crash before he jumped out of the car and started shooting.

Landon Caeli · Jan 2, 2026

essentialsaltes said:
Right, they're shooting citizens.

Federal prosecutors drop charges against Marimar Martinez, woman shot by CBP agent in Chicago
In a statement on the decision to dismiss the charges, U.S. Attorney's office spokesman Joseph Fitzpatrick said in a statement that federal prosecutors are "constantly evaluating new facts and information relating to cases and investigations arising out of Operation Midway Blitz, the largest ever law enforcement surge in the Northern District of Illinois."

In a court filing, her attorneys pointed to body camera video they said shows the agent turned his wheel and caused the crash before he jumped out of the car and started shooting.

I can show you 10 examples of citizens shooting at, or trying to runover ICE agents. And I'm supposed to be convinced about something based on your single instance?

ThatRobGuy · Jan 2, 2026

Nithavela said:
The guys the USA gave Iraq and Afghanistan to also talked a good game. I'll believe it when I see it (though I doubt I'll actually see anything).

In this case, it's not the US giving them anything. He already has popular support among people who had a fondness for his dad (unlike the US trying to install the guy in Iraq who nobody had ever heard of). If in that poll of 180,000 Iranians, he's pulling 40% out of a field of 34 potential candidates (and the remaining 60% is divided among the other 33 options), that would be considered a runaway primary here in the US.

The protestors now (and in the protests in Iran in 2017-2018) were in the streets chanting "Reza Shah, Bless your soul"

For all intents and purposes, he's a western guy who's a fan of western democracy, he's lived in numerous countries...he's got 3 daughters who've enjoyed the freedoms of western society, and that's what he wants.

31K views | “No, not vindication” - Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi on crowds chanting his name in Iran A moment from the interview this year with Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi joining Jian in the Roqe Studio. From legacy to loss, protest to policy, this is

“No, not vindication” - Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi on crowds chanting his name in Iran A moment from the interview this year with Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi joining Jian in the Roqe Studio. From...

www.facebook.com

And I still maintain that even his dad was lightyears better than what they've got now.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/02/25/i-thought-iranian-revolution-would-bring-freedom-i-was-wrong/

Even a nobel peace prize winner (who was the first female judge in Iran, and then had her title stripped away "because women can't be judges of men") acknowledges that modest reforms were all that were needed during the time of the Shah, not full-blown revolution. (and reforms that he was already in the process of conceding to none the less)

In her speech, she mentioned that all the young people got caught up in the "thrill of revolution" and then apologized that the women and girls of the next 40 years were having to pay the price for their mistakes.

Hentenza · Jan 2, 2026

Hans Blaster said:
Do you think we'll invade Iran if they shoot some protestors in the legs?

That was the threat but who knows. Maybe shooting the legs is not enough.

ThatRobGuy · Jan 2, 2026

MarcusGregor said:
So, for the record, had the National Guard followed through on Trump's proposal to "shoot [protestors] in the legs" you would have praised the protestors for using their "gun rights" who shot back at the National Guard?

Do you think it was "gun rights" that stopped the National Guard from shooting protestors in the legs or was it something else?

For starters, we need to be honest and not pretend that US protestors and Iranian protestors are on equal footing with regards to their justification for protest and methods of protest.

We don't make any progress in this discussion if we pretend that they're the same or that their grievances have equal merit.

"I'm protesting because they want to deport people who are in the country illegally, and my professor said that multiculturalism is good and borders are racist, and it should be my right to throw rocks at an doxx a federal agent and harass his family if he enforces a law I don't like #IStandWithUkraine #GOPisFascist #FreePalestine #PowerToThePeople" (and then goes to Starbucks to tell their friends about how they smashed the patriarchy and colonialism over a $7 latte)
vs.
"I'm protesting because I'm tired of living under this regime that poured acid on my sister's face for talking to a man that wasn't her husband and kept people immiserated for the last 40 years"

They are not the same....

wing2000 · Jan 2, 2026

“If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social network.

Trump warns Tehran that US is ‘locked and loaded’ to support Iranian protesters

Trump pledges to come to the “rescue” if Iranian authorities kill peaceful protesters.

www.politico.eu

Hans Blaster · Jan 2, 2026

wing2000 said:
“If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social network.

Trump warns Tehran that US is ‘locked and loaded’ to support Iranian protesters

Trump pledges to come to the “rescue” if Iranian authorities kill peaceful protesters.

www.politico.eu

"President of peace" is threatening another unauthorized war.

ThatRobGuy · Jan 2, 2026

Hans Blaster said:
"President of peace" is threatening another unauthorized war.

Promising "peace absolutism" in a world where some nations only understand force was probably a mistake on his part.

Iran (and their leadership regime) isn't the type responds well to "please stop being so mean...pretty please"

That's probably one of his biggest blind spots...falsely thinking that every other world leader prioritizes "commerce and good business deals" over every other ideological priority.

Say what you want about him, but he certainly understands that peace is more prosperous than war... similar to the smarter guys from the Cali Cartel back in the day that said "silver over lead". Why leave dead bodies in the streets if you can get someone to "play ball" by cutting a check and avoid violence.

Dealing with theocracies is whole different beast, and one that's a fool's errand because there's no way to do it that's completely ethical in the grand scheme of things.

You can either try to placate them with deal proposals like "pretty please, don't build nukes and blow up the world, and we'll just turn a blind to your human rights abuses and pretend that you're making progress" (that they'll only partially follow), or you can get your hands dirty and be perceived to be the aggressor.

Hans Blaster · Jan 2, 2026

ThatRobGuy said:
Promising "peace absolutism" in a world where some nations only understand force was probably a mistake on his part.

Peace abolutism? Que? I was just commenting on trump's claims to be a peacemaker despite repeatedly threatening wars.

ThatRobGuy said:
Iran (and their leadership regime) isn't the type responds well to "please stop being so mean...pretty please"

That's probably one of his biggest blind spots...falsely thinking that every other world leader prioritizes "commerce and good business deals" over every other ideological priority.

Say what you want about him, but he certainly understands that peace is more prosperous than war... similar to the smarter guys from the Cali Cartel back in the day that said "silver over lead". Why leave dead bodies in the streets if you can get someone to "play ball" by cutting a check and avoid violence.

Dealing with theocracies is whole different beast, and one that's a fool's errand because there's no way to do it that's completely ethical in the grand scheme of things.

You can either try to placate them with deal proposals like "pretty please, don't build nukes and blow up the world, and we'll just turn a blind to your human rights abuses and pretend that you're making progress" (that they'll only partially follow), or you can get your hands dirty and be perceived to be the aggressor.

ThatRobGuy · Jan 3, 2026

Hans Blaster said:
Peace abolutism? Que? I was just commenting on trump's claims to be a peacemaker despite repeatedly threatening wars.

Right, what was I saying is that promising peace on the campaign trail and preferring peace after entering office (assuming that "every other leader will play ball if we can just figure out the right trade deal or dollar amount") exposed a huge blind spot on his part.

He essentially got lucky in his first term that no new conflicts had broken out that "tempted the hand of intervention" and probably assumed it would be like that in the 2nd term.

That's why the overarching concept of "we need a businessman to run the country" can have some blind spots (and that's a talking point that I remember hearing as far back as when I was a little kid in the 80's)

The "carrots and sticks" mechanisms that exist in the upper echelon of the domestic business environment aren't the same as the ones that exist in a geopolitics.

wing2000 · Jan 3, 2026

ThatRobGuy said:
Right, what was I saying is that promising peace on the campaign trail and preferring peace after entering office (assuming that "every other leader will play ball if we can just figure out the right trade deal or dollar amount") exposed a huge blind spot on his part.

He essentially got lucky in his first term that no new conflicts had broken out that "tempted the hand of intervention" and probably assumed it would be like that in the 2nd term.

That's why the overarching concept of "we need a businessman to run the country" can have some blind spots (and that's a talking point that I remember hearing as far back as when I was a little kid in the 80's)

The "carrots and sticks" mechanisms that exist in the upper echelon of the domestic business environment aren't the same as the ones that exist in a geopolitics.

Promising to defend Iranian "peaceful protestors" is obviously a stupid (deulusional?) thing to say.

Belk · Jan 3, 2026

Landon Caeli said:
I can show you 10 examples of citizens shooting at, or trying to runover ICE agents. And I'm supposed to be convinced about something based on your single instance?

OK. Let's see these ten examples.

essentialsaltes · Jan 3, 2026

Iran's leader says rioters 'must be put in their place'

The first comments by 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei come as violence surrounding the demonstrations sparked by Iran's ailing economy has killed at least 10 people.

Demonstrations have reached over 100 locations in 22 of Iran’s 31 provinces, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported.

Hans Blaster · Jan 3, 2026

ThatRobGuy said:
Right, what was I saying is that promising peace on the campaign trail and preferring peace after entering office (assuming that "every other leader will play ball if we can just figure out the right trade deal or dollar amount") exposed a huge blind spot on his part.

He essentially got lucky in his first term that no new conflicts had broken out that "tempted the hand of intervention" and probably assumed it would be like that in the 2nd term.

This would be fine, but Trump is creating these new actions on his own with out any external need for it.

ThatRobGuy said:
That's why the overarching concept of "we need a businessman to run the country" can have some blind spots (and that's a talking point that I remember hearing as far back as when I was a little kid in the 80's)

It's utterly useless. The government is not a business and if you try to run it as one all you get is failure and corruption.

ThatRobGuy said:
The "carrots and sticks" mechanisms that exist in the upper echelon of the domestic business environment aren't the same as the ones that exist in a geopolitics.

Trump was not in that tier of business. He ran a few hospitality businesses.

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Iranian people rising up against their regime

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Federal prosecutors drop charges against Marimar Martinez, woman shot by CBP agent in Chicago​

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Iran's leader says rioters 'must be put in their place'​

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