Three-minute read
Since June 1981, Iran’s modern political history has been shaped by popular resistance against authoritarian rule. Over the past four decades, nationwide uprisings have revealed both the determination of the people and the inability of the ruling regime to reform. The nationwide protests of 2009, 2017, and 2019 paved the way for the 2022 uprising, which fundamentally redefined the political balance. Its impact remains decisive in 2025, with women and youth at the forefront of shaping Iran’s democratic future.
Uprisings Before 2022
1981: The beginning of organized resistance
The events of June 1981 marked the start of organized, nationwide resistance. Despite systematic repression, this period laid the foundation for future waves of popular defiance.
2009: Beyond electoral disputes
Although triggered by contested elections, the 2009 protests quickly went beyond factional disputes. Millions challenged the system itself, proving that discontent was not limited to reformist circles but reflected a deeper social demand for change.
#Iran Marks Anniversary of 2022 Uprising as Protests Continue Over Regime Corruption and Inefficiency https://t.co/73ZKGLIsN8
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) September 16, 2025
2017 and 2019: Expansion of the social base
The uprisings of December 2017 and November 2019 represented a new stage. Protesters openly targeted the entire ruling establishment, and participation expanded to include working-class and marginalized communities. These movements demonstrated the regime’s inability to address social and economic crises, while exposing the widening gap between state and society.
Fundamental Outcomes of the 2022 Uprising
1. An irreversible break with reformist illusions
The 2022 uprising began with fundamental demands and quickly spread nationwide. It ended the illusion of reform from within, confirming that the dominant aspiration in society was not limited to gradual change but focused on the complete overthrow of the ruling regime. The balance of power between society and state shifted irreversibly, with no possibility of returning to the pre-September 2022 status quo.
2. Complete delegitimization of the ruling system
The uprising also marked the full rejection of the regime’s legitimacy. Political maneuvers under the banner of “reform” lost credibility both among the population and even within elements of the establishment. The minimum demand emerging from society is the abolition of absolute clerical rule, removal of the Supreme Leader, and dissolution of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the backbone of repression and corruption. These demands have only become more widespread and uncompromising since 2022.
3. Clear boundaries for the future
The uprising clarified the political future. It rejected all forms of dictatorship, including a return to monarchy or any authoritarian alternative. The prevailing demand is for a democratic republic that reflects Iran’s ethnic, cultural, and intellectual diversity. This is not only a political choice but the outcome of decades of lived experience under repression.
NCRI Editorial: Three Years After the 2022 Uprising, Iran’s Regime Stands Weaker Than Everhttps://t.co/FNYyorgoJZ
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) September 16, 2025
The Central Role of Women and Youth
Women and youth have consistently been at the forefront of Iran’s uprisings, none more visibly than in 2022. Their demands extend far beyond the issue of compulsory hijab. They call for fundamental political change, equal rights, and a free society. The leadership role of women in protests has symbolized the broader struggle against authoritarianism, while youth—disproportionately affected by unemployment, repression, and lack of opportunities—have emerged as the driving force behind radical change. Together, they embody the generational and gendered dimensions of Iran’s democratic aspirations.
Current Political Implications
The consequences of the 2022 uprising continue to shape Iran’s political crisis. The regime faces deepening internal conflicts, a collapsing economy, international isolation, and intensifying power struggles. These are not temporary problems but structural symptoms of a system in decline. The trajectory points toward collapse, with no viable path to recovery.
#Iran's Labor Uprising: 4,000 Arak Workers on Hunger Strike, Exposing Regime’s Systemic Failurehttps://t.co/OJT7GCm8Vv
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) September 11, 2025
From 1981 through the uprisings of 2009, 2017, and 2019, each wave of resistance eroded the foundations of authoritarian rule. The 2022 uprising marked the turning point: it ended illusions of reform, delegitimized the system, and set the demand for a democratic republic as the only viable future. Women and youth remain central to this struggle, ensuring that Iran’s path forward is defined not by superficial reforms but by a genuine pursuit of freedom and democracy.