Iran faces social unrest risks amid economic and post-war challenges

Sociologist Jabbar Rahmani warns that Iranian society is increasingly prone to large-scale protests due to accumulated economic pressures and social instability. He suggests that the current social climate is highly volatile, potentially leading to a repeat of major past demonstrations.

Rahmani notes that the government appears to be adopting a model of ‘general mobilization’ similar to the former Soviet Union. This approach emphasizes continuous resistance and wartime readiness, which can create temporary cohesion but ultimately depletes social and cultural capital, reduces social freedoms, and delays improvements in public welfare.

As the country enters a post-conflict reconstruction phase, the challenges extend beyond repairing physical infrastructure. The government faces complex issues including hyperinflation, declining purchasing power, inequality, and a loss of public trust. Rahmani emphasizes that successful reconstruction must address these deep-seated social grievances and restore economic stability to prevent further radicalization and social exhaustion.