Results: Why Are The Protests In Iran Capturing World Attention?

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in the Middle Eastern country of Iran to protest against the country's government. They are the largest anti-government protests to have taken place in the country since 2009. The unrest started on Thursday December 28th, in the north-eastern city of Mashhad - Iran's second biggest city - but within a day, the protests had spread across the country. What is interesting this time, unlike in 2009, is that the protesters are not only in the capital, but in all corners of the country. On January 3, the head of Iran's security service the Revolutionary Guards declared the protests had been defeated. This is, in fact, not the case. While the government did cut off social media in the country, as a way of keeping what is happening out of the focus, the protests still are happening. Are you aware of what is happening in Iran right now?

Iran is ruled in a different way than many other countries. It has what is called a theocratic government. Theocratic means a system of government in which religious leaders rule in the name of a god. Iran is an Islamic republic ruled by religious leaders, who govern according to the laws of Islam. This has been the case since 1979, when the country's monarchy was overthrown in the Islamic Revolution. This is why the government has actually imposed a dress rule for women, where they must keep their heads covered, and wear clothes that do not reveal too much skin. The most famous photo that has come out of the recent protests is of a young Iranian woman raising her hijab. Have you seen this photo?

Do you know that the government in Iran has fined or even imprisoned women who are caught without the proper head coverings?

If the protests continue and spread, they could be a game-changer in Iran's proxy wars for control of the Middle East with its Sunni Muslim rival, Saudi Arabia. Many of the protesters have called into question the wisdom of Iran's interventions in Syria and Iraq in a battle for influence with the Saudis. The country's financial support for Palestinians and Hezbollah have also angered Iranians who want their government to focus on domestic economic problems instead. These protests could indeed mark a significant turning point in the Middle East, and naturally affect the rest of the world. Did you know this?