Ahwazi Political Front: Iran on brink of open confrontation as unprecedented protests erupt

Tariq Jassim, the official spokesperson of the Ahwaz Democratic Front, stated that the ongoing protests in Iran differ fundamentally from previous waves of unrest, stressing that they are not a passing event but rather the outcome of a long accumulation of political repression, economic failure, and policies of ethnic discrimination against non-Persian peoples foremost among them the Ahwazi Arab people, the Kurds, and others.

In an interview with our agency, Jassim explained that the protests began on December 28, 2025, at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar following the sharp deterioration of economic conditions and the collapse of the national currency. He noted that the protests then spread to dozens of cities across various regions, becoming more organized, widespread, and bold, with political slogans targeting the very core of the system.

Jassim pointed out that the expansion of the protests is driven by the suffocating economic crisis, the collapse of trust between society and the authorities due to repression, executions, and corruption, as well as the growing anger of non-Persian nationalities and the continuation of exclusionary and discriminatory policies, amid the regime’s inability to offer genuine solutions and its reliance on a security crackdown.

Regarding the security situation, he affirmed that Iranian authorities are confronting demonstrators with “excessive force and systematic repression,” through mass arrests, live fire, and internet shutdowns. He indicated that the regions of Ahwaz, Baluchistan, and Kurdistan are subjected to the harshest forms of repression, as the regime considers them political and identity-based threats.

He revealed that human rights reports indicate the killing of 21 protesters, the injury of around 30 others, and the arrest of approximately 990 people, amid a broad media blackout.

He added that the pursuit of the wounded inside hospitals and attempts to arrest them “destroy what remains of society’s trust in institutions,” warning that this turns the state into a direct adversary of its citizens and deepens the state of tension.

As for the repercussions, Jassim believes that the protests will politically lead to the erosion of the regime’s legitimacy and increased isolation, and economically to further deterioration, capital flight, and rising unemployment and inflation.

He noted that any security-based approach without genuine political change will remain temporary and prone to renewed eruption.

Looking ahead, he warned of the possibility of entering a prolonged open confrontation marked by cycles of escalation and de-escalation, with increasing chances of comprehensive civil disobedience if the demands of various components unite. He suggested scenarios that include the escalation of divisions within the regime and the growing role of non-Persian nationalities in the political scene.

On the international front, Jassim described reactions as “weak and limited to political condemnation,” arguing that U.S. statements alone do not change reality unless they are translated into organized practical pressure encompassing human rights issues, executions, and racist policies.

He noted that the regime often responds to external pressure with increased internal repression and by portraying the protests as a foreign conspiracy.

Jassim concluded by emphasizing that the protesters’ message is clear: “The peoples of Iran want a dignified life, human and political rights, and a state that respects national and cultural diversity.” He called on the international community and human rights organizations to issue explicit condemnations of violations, support the rights of peoples in Iran, apply pressure to halt executions and arbitrary arrests, and send independent international fact-finding missions.

ANHA