Iran’s Cycle of Protest and Repression: From the 1979 Revolution to the 2025–2026 Uprising

Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has faced repeated waves of protest driven by economic hardship, political repression, and demands for women’s rights. Each movement has been met with an increasingly sophisticated and violent state response, culminating in the harsh crackdowns seen during the 2025–2026 unrest.