What is going on in Iran?

Is there a revolution happening?

An ongoing series of protests and civil unrest against the government of Iran began on 16 September 2022 as a reaction to the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini (Persian: مهسا امینی), who had been arrested by morality police in Tehran for allegedly violating Iran's strict rules requiring women to cover their hair with a hijab, or headscarf. Since then the protests have swelled, with demands from more freedoms to an overthrow of the state. Videos have shown the iranian women defiantly setting their headscarves on fire and cutting their hair in public to chants of "Woman, life, freedom" and "Death to the dictator" - a reference to the Supreme Leader. In an unprecedented show of support, schoolgirls have also been demonstrating in playgrounds and on the streets. Men and teenage boys have also participated in large numbers and backed the women's demands. The government have played down the protests and tried to suppress them with force. It has been ruthless in its retaliation against people it perceives as causing instability, with judges doling out prison sentences and hundreds of people across the country being charged with “enmity against God” and “spreading corruption on Earth”—crimes that are punishable by death. The independent media are barred from reporting from inside Iran, making it difficult to verify what is claimed by state media. Social media, activists and human rights groups help provide a picture, although authorities have disrupted internet and phone services. Human rights groups has said at least 469 people, including 64 children, have been killed by security forces. Security forces have denied killing peaceful demonstrators, but they have been filmed firing live ammunition on the streets.