The democratic protests that began with the justified demonstrations by Tehran market traders reacting to the fall in the value of the currency were bloodied by the incitement of US President Trump.

This is the plain truth. Until Trump provoked them with his words and the CIA, Pentagon and Mossad intervened with their actions, the people's protests were justified and democratic. That is why Iranian President Pezeshkiyan stated that they recognised the people's right to protest and would listen to the protesters' demands.

Trump's psychological warfare

However, the US-Israel duo, which launched the 12-Day War against Iran just six months ago, saw these legitimate actions as an opportunity to weaken the Iranian regime and intervened. This intervention was, of course, not just verbal, but active. The US's useful organisations were brought into play. 

Trump says they have launched a "psychological war" against Iran, but also that they will strike Iran if the death toll rises. He is openly asking activists to "take over institutions," in violation of international law. He is inciting more Iranians to die, saying "don't retreat," "hold on, help is on the way." 

American politicians and the media blame the Iranian regime for the deaths, but Trump is the real culprit. This is not only because of the incitement I have summarised above, but also because of the direct actions of the imperialist-Zionist duo...

Iranian officials say that the US has even brought in its "useful enemy", ISIS. They are so reckless that former CIA Director Mike Pompeo even sent greetings to the Mossad agents among the activists on social media. 

Monarchy is not an alternative

In short, they are trying to use the people's legitimate and democratic action as a basis to weaken Iran, which they bombed less than six months ago. In this way, they are tarnishing the people's legitimate action and sabotaging their democratic right.

So much so that the issue is being taken out of the economic sphere and a return to monarchy is being demanded. Photos of the son of the Shah, who was overthrown 47 years ago, are being carried, and his son Pahlavi is speaking out from exile, saying, "The regime has weakened, don't leave the streets." Returning the country to the Shah's regime and handing it over to the Pahlavi dynasty is surely not an alternative to the Mullah regime!

American weapon: Embargo

An Iranian I asked about developments summed it up as follows: "We are also against the US, but should we give up the protests just because the US supports the protests and hopes to gain something from them?"

The question is important, and my answer is this: Iranians should direct their arrows of protest at imperialist America.

True, the protests began as a reaction to the economic situation. True, the value of the currency has fallen sharply, negatively affecting purchasing power. But is the main cause of the economic problems the Tehran government or the harsh blockade imposed on Iran by the US? 

I have addressed this issue many times: the US uses sanctions as a weapon. It imposes heavy sanctions on target countries by blockading them, preventing them from producing, preventing them from selling what they produce, seizing ships carrying their products, and seizing their assets in other countries. 

The Washington administration is attempting to provoke the people affected by the poor economy to revolt against the government by collapsing the economies of the targeted countries with such embargoes. 

Therefore, Iranians suffering economic hardship should protest against the real embargoer. 

Taking a stand against imperialism

As for the regime issue... 

Every people can, of course, rise up and seek to change their regime "for the better". But collaborating with imperialism and, moreover, replacing the Mullah regime with a monarchy is certainly not a democratic right. Because a return to monarchy is a step backwards.

Moreover, imperialism has no interest in democracy; it has interests. If it suits Washington's interests, it declares kings to be democrats, but if it does not suit its interests, it declares even democratically elected presidents to be dictators. 

And most importantly, in our era, the progress of societies is possible primarily through their opposition to imperialism.