'We have nothing to lose': Protest wave exposes deep divides and anxiety across Iran

As protests across Iran escalated last week, before easing somewhat over the weekend, anxiety spread among Iranians over the risk of further security deterioration and its consequences.

Authorities have sought to reassure the public, insisting the situation is under control and that what they describe as "riots" are nearing an end.

Iranian Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday that unrest was being "contained".

Meanwhile, Iran saw on Monday widespread rallies in support of the Islamic Revolution and stability, condemning what state media described as "acts of sabotage and rioting" in recent days, as well as US and Israeli threats, according to Iranian media.

Over the past several days, The New Arab has spoken to Iranians about the current situation and their expectations for the future.

Their views reflected deep anger over deteriorating living conditions alongside a strong desire for change. Some said they want reform within the framework of the Islamic Republic, while others called for its replacement.

Many, however, expressed fear of chaos amid escalating confrontations, vandalism and repression during the protests.

Majority reject the return of Pahlavi

Farid, a man in his mid-30s, told The New Arab that "the current situation cannot continue". He said he took part in protests in the Sadeghieh area of western Tehran but later withdrew after becoming deeply concerned for his life amid intense street clashes between protesters and police and security forces. What he witnessed of violence and vandalism, he said, "does not bode well".

In Enghelab (Revolution) Square in central Tehran, Farnaz, a woman in her 20s, openly expressed her support for the return of the monarchy and the rise to power of Israel-backed Reza Pahlavi, the son of the controversial former shah.

She said Pahlavi "would fundamentally improve the situation in Iran, open the doors to the world and end the isolation that we, the youth, are paying the price for".

"The United States is the dominant power in the world," she said. "When Iran antagonises it, has no relations with it or with Israel, and limits its relations to groups here and there, it is obvious our situation will not improve. Therefore, this system must fall by any means."

Arteen, a university student in his 30s, disagreed. He told The New Arab that a change in Iran "will not be easy and will come at the expense of security and the future, and the system will not fall".

He said he was also angry about corruption and living conditions, "but without stability and security, our situation will get worse, and many people do not realise this".

He argued that the United States wants to turn Iran's protests "into an internal war that gives it an opportunity to launch a new war", adding that what matters to US President Donald Trump "is only Iran's wealth and weakening it to the maximum extent".

Kimia, a Kurdish employee at a private company, said she supports neither the monarchy nor the current authorities. She cited the former monarchy's historical oppression of Kurds, including the displacement of thousands of Kurdish families from their cities some 80 years ago.

For that reason, she said she would not support Pahlavi. She added that she was not currently taking part in the protests because, in her view, Pahlavi had begun imposing himself on the scene with external backing despite many protesters rejecting him.

"This unilateralism puts demonstrators at risk and increases repression," she said.

Between regime change and fear of chaos

Hamid Sorouri, a 40-year-old interviewed by The New Arab in Azadi (Freedom) Square in western Tehran, said he was protesting worsening living conditions. He said his family survives on 250 million rials a month (around $180), yet he still supports the Islamic Republic.

Without it, he said, Iran "would cease to exist as a unified state and would fragment. This is exactly what Israel wants. We must preserve our system".

Shahin, a man in his mid-30s who owns a bag shop on Manouchehri Street in central Tehran, spoke angrily about his situation. He said he and other market traders protested after it became impossible to work, explaining that "what we sell today we cannot buy tomorrow at wholesale prices because of rising costs".

"We hoped to make the government hear that the situation is no longer bearable," he said, "but our protests turned into street polarisation between Pahlavi supporters and supporters of the Islamic Republic."

He added that "there are people living comfortably abroad who want to exploit our suffering to return."

Fatemeh Aliordi criticised the complete internet shutdown and disruption of internal communications. She said authorities claimed the move aimed to sever contact between “rioters” and external actors, but added that it only increased fear and anxiety.

She said the shutdown may not achieve its intended goal, instead pushing people towards Persian-language media abroad, such as Iran International, which she accused of encouraging confrontation and openly promoting Reza Pahlavi. Iran's opposition, meanwhile, accuses authorities of cutting the internet to facilitate repression.

Sharif Izdelo, a retired Iranian, said he initially hoped protests by traders, particularly in Tehran's Grand Bazaar, would awaken officials from their "deep slumber". He is now more worried than ever and wishes the protests had not erupted.

He attributed his fear to scenes of violence, masked gunmen firing during demonstrations, and the burning of institutions and mosques. "I fear the situation will spiral out of control and we will become a second Syria," he said.

Hassan, a schoolteacher, said the timing of the protests, coinciding with a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington and statements by Trump, "suggests there is a plan". He described the unrest as a continuation of the war Israel launched last June, accusing Trump of pretending to be a friend of the Iranian people.

"He is the one who imposed an economic war on us and is one of the main reasons for our living crisis," Hassan said.

A man in his 30s sitting beside him on the metro interrupted, saying: "I want this miserable situation to end at any cost, whether through war or the return of Pahlavi. I have nothing to lose. I am tired of this life. That is why I take part in the protests."

"Our money goes to Palestine, Lebanon and Yemen while we live in poverty. This is unacceptable," he added. "This time it is different, and Pahlavi must return."

Hassan responded that "a person always has something to lose. Today we suffer an economic crisis and corruption, but tomorrow, if security disappears, we will lose stability, we will have nothing to eat, and we will lose Iran".

Another young man told The New Arab that he was unemployed despite holding a master's degree in management. He said authorities were "failing to resolve crises".

"I support Pahlavi not because he is better, but because I am dissatisfied with this reality," he said, adding that he knows Pahlavi’s grandfather was deposed by Britain and his son fled Iran. "His son will not be better,"  he said. "But I support him because I am extremely frustrated."

Saeed, a man in his 70s interviewed in Haft Tir Square in northern Tehran, predicted that security forces would ultimately quell the protests. At the same time, he said: "Trump will launch a war."