Hundreds of students and others joined a protest at Tehran University amid a wave of economic protests sweeping major cities in Iran on30 December 2017 after the protest started on 28 December 2017.
However, some Iranians took a part in pro-government rallies across the country to mark the end of protests.
The death toll rose up security forces clashed with protesters. Iran is capable of suppressing the protests. However, this time the things are different.
Iranians are particularly angry but not to foreign states but this time, to Iranian government. Hassan Rouhani was elected with 57% of vote which is considered to be a great power considering his rival received 37% of votes. During this election, Rouhani promised to bring economic stability and prospect to country. On the contrary, prices were increased by 40% in the of days of 2017. The inflation rose up to 9.6% in November from 8.4% in October.
Iran emphasized that the protests are fuelled by foreign states (especially US Administration). But this time, it is majorly his own mistake.While coming to office, Rouhani found a way to work with Obama administration on common enemy, ISIS. After the enemy was dissolved, Iran had achieved to engage a deal with Obama administration with its nuclear programme. In return the sanctions would be eased and economy recover would start.
But things are surprisingly changed with new President in office. Trump administration is not fond of Iran and its promises. Thus through his campaign, President Trump has promised that he would end this deal and box Iran where it is in order to bring stability to region (Trump considered Iran as real threat to Israel and US interest in the region). So after coming to office, Trump administration brought some sanctions in Iran. However compared to sanctions in 2010, they are like a feather to Iran.
While Iran saw the things changed, they also started taking positions against it. Iran saw that the comprise with Obama administration would not work with Trump administration since the President in office will not even consider a comprise with Iran at all. Thus, Iran started to increase prices and inflation steadily.
However, Iran did not calculate that the economic deformation might also bring unrest to country. Iran has the capability to press the protests but cost might be high. Considering the unemployment rate going up including prices with sanctions in process, Iran has to diversify the economy with new elements. But it would be hard once there is no cash at all. Therefore, Iran would (or has to) compromise with Trump administration in order to start oil business back again.
The recent events carry two important aspects for future in Middle East region. First, Iran economically is fragile and any country even Iran cannot assert its interest widely without a stable economy. Second; in lack of Iran absence in the region as major player, countries like Turkey and Russia will fill the shoes.
