Turkish authorities on Sunday prevented a planned protest by Iranian nationals outside the Iranian consulate in Istanbul, with police cordoning off the area and blocking access to demonstrators.
The planned demonstration was intended to show solidarity with the widespread street protests that have been ongoing in Iran since December 28. These protests represent a significant challenge to the government that has been in power since the 1979 revolution.
In Istanbul, demonstrators gathered despite heavy rain. Nina, a young Iranian living in exile, stated she was there to support the protests now entering their third week.
“It’s been 72 hours since we had any news from the country, from our families. No internet or television, we can’t reach Iran anymore,” she said. “The regime kills at random — whether families are on foot or in a car, whether there are children. It spares no one.”
The protests in Iran, which initially began over the rising cost of living, have since expanded into a broader anti-government movement.
Amir Hossein, a singer from Tehran who has lived in Turkey for 20 years, expressed his frustration. “In every country, permits are granted to demonstrate for freedom, for democracy, but in Turkey, unfortunately, never,” he said. Hossein also called for international intervention, stating, “Our regime is not normal; it kills.”
According to the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights, at least 192 protesters have been killed during the recent unrest.
“But this time, victory is ours and we are going to win,” Hossein added, expressing support for Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the former shah.
However, support for Pahlavi is not universal among the opposition. Mehdi, an engineer in exile, clarified his position: “We want democracy, a republic, not a monarchy,” adding that he believes Pahlavi is “incapable of uniting people.”
