Iran

Iran is a Middle Eastern country governed as an Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution, with a population of approximately 93 million people. It faces ongoing geopolitical tensions, including conflicts with Israel and the United States, economic sanctions, and domestic challenges like inflation and currency devaluation. Recent events include a major war with Israel in June 2025 and a new conflict starting February 28, 2026, involving coordinated attacks by Israel and the US on Iranian sites.

Iran matters due to its active involvement in regional conflicts, including a 2025 war with Israel and the 2026 conflict with Israel and the United States, which have weakened its proxy networks and deterrence capabilities. Massive anti-government protests erupted in late December 2025 across over 100 cities, driven by economic crisis, repression, and calls for regime change, met with violent government responses. These developments affect regional stability, global energy markets, and millions of Iranians facing poverty, inflation at 42.2 percent, and eroded fear of the regime.

People create online petitions addressing human rights violations, such as the release of political prisoners, ending mandatory hijab laws, and condemning protest crackdowns. Petitions also focus on gender equality, freedom of speech, and opposition to violence against demonstrators, with some gathering tens of thousands of signatures. Additional efforts include advocacy for democracy, religious tolerance, and international accountability for abuses.