Thread by @Nervana_1

#Thread #Iran
If you just tuned in, you will see how Iran's TL is full of images and videos of protests all over the country following the death of #Mahsa_Amini who was accused of improper wearing of Hijab.
Here are few thoughts. 1/

Since I attended late Shah funeral in Egypt, I developed deep interest in Iran, which increased immensely, after I visited the country years ago. Unlike Egyptians, the people of Iran fully understand the pain of living under an Islamists regime and have no illusions about it 2/

Protests against Islamic Republic is not new:
-1999 Students protests
-2009 Presidential election
-2011/12 protests (influenced by Arab spring)
-2018/19 strikes & protests against economic situation
-2021 uprising of thirsty due water shortage
All failed to uproot the regime 3/

However, those protests (1999-2022) have had a compounding impact on the Iranian society. Every day a section of the society feels it has had enough. That is why the current protests after #Mahsa_Amini is important to follow, even the regime lobby in DC is sensing the change 4/

Why? because there is a gathering storm facing the Mullahs regime, for the first time since 1979 and weakening its survival ability:
-An ailing supreme leader
-Unprecedented poor economic conditions
-A failed life line- aka Iran Deal.
5/

But above all, it is the regime inability to compromise, a crucial element that has always led to the downfall of any Middle East regime.
Currently the triangle of Khamenei (Sup. leader) Raise (President), and Qalibaf (police) think they can ride the storm, but it is doubtful 6/

The Mullahs look for Syria as a model of survival, as a regime that endured despite the rebellion of many of its people. But they are wrong, Assad had the Mullahs as patron, but who will be the patron of ailing Mullahs? Putin who can't conquer Ukraine? China? None of them will 7/

Neither weakened Russia, nor cautious China will rush to save the Mullahs. The regime may be close to acquire nuclear weapons, but it will discover soon the futility of owning such dangerous weapons when its people are loud and angry 8/

Khamenei may still be alive, but his ailing health and the uncontrolled protests in Tehran will irk many elements within the regime. That is why, and even if the current protests subside ( I doubt it), sooner or later, the Iranians will have the last laugh 9/

The events in #Iran is a testimony of how Islamism can lure many inside a society, but it has zero ability to govern any society without a substantial deal of oppression. That is why it is doomed to failure even after decades of survival.
#Mahsa_Amini

As I watch my native country Egypt plunges into a new dark level of #Islamism, I sincerely hope that the death #Mahsa_Amini in #Iran make many Egyptians question their fascination with populism/ Islamism combo, and stop flirting with it.

Read this thread by the amazing @ksadjadpour on why foreign officials and reporters should change interaction with Iranian officials following the death of #Mahsa_Amini

Enough legitimatising the illegitimate.
#Iran

https://twitter.com/ksadjadpour/status/1572231364514091012

Things are getting out of control in Iran.
Three are murdered by the ruthless regime.
#MahsaAmini is not the last of the Mullahs crime

https://twitter.com/AFP/status/1572247174267940864

In #Iran, people are dying to achieve their basic right for freedom, while some westerners are willing to bend over to appease the Mullahs!

#MahsaAmini

https://twitter.com/cyrusforum/status/1572244318014013442

One BIG difference between #Iran and Egypt is how Iranian men are standing against the compulsory hijab policies, unlike in #Egypt, where many are yearning to impose it.
#Mahsa_Amini
#مهسا_امینی

https://twitter.com/glnoronha/status/1571869317708320770

A full-scale revolution is unfolding in #Iran

#MahsaAmini

https://twitter.com/alinejadmasih/status/1572278561821847552

What?
While protests are raging in #Iran, America has given a visa to Ali Sadriniya, the director of public relations of the top organization belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps—-which is on the US list of terrorist organizations?
Is that true @POTUS ?
#MahsaAmini

https://twitter.com/babakazar/status/1572226331508879360

According to @AlHadath tv, #Iran’s president rang #MahsaAmini family to offer condolence.

That alone is an indication of how rattled is the regime!

Elon Musk to ask for sanctions exemption to provide internet to Cuba, #Iran
I wish, but apparently technically it is not that easy!

#Mahsa_Amini

washingtontimes.com/news/2022/sep/…

. @AlHadath has just broadcasted another protest tonight in #Tehran

Hear them 👇👇
#Mahsa_Amini

Also on @AlHadath, a Saudi analyst asks:
Where are those [Americans] who supported #ArabSpring? Why they are not standing by the protestors in #Iran?They stood against Mubarak and Gaddafi?

#Mahsa_Amini
#مهسا_امینی

Iranians have every right to be mad at @EmmanuelMacron
Shaking hands with their dictators while they are protesting on the streets? Really?
#Mahsa_Amini

https://twitter.com/sarapeymanpour/status/1572307103540289538

The ugly face of Islamism, from #Taliban to #Iran
Islamists may differ among themselves, but they are united in their oppression of women.

This 👇👇is ugly!

#MahsaAmini
#مهساامینی

https://twitter.com/ksadjadpour/status/1572359104093470724