UPDATE: Just a few decades earlier, parts of Tehran looked very different!! 🇺🇸🇮🇷
Western fashion was common in many cities, American and European companies operated in Iran,
and the country was one of Washington's closest allies in the Middle East.
So what changed?🤔
Before 1979, Iran was ruled by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Rising oil revenues helped fund new roads, universities, industries, and one of the region's strongest militaries.
The Shah also introduced reforms that expanded education and increased rights for women in several areas. In major cities like Tehran, many people embraced Western fashion, music, and culture.
But not everyone supported these changes. Many Iranians believed the reforms happened too quickly
or mainly benefited the wealthy and urban population. Others opposed the Shah's close ties with the United States.😐
In 1979, months of protests and strikes
forced the Shah to leave Iran. Soon after, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned from exile.
The revolution transformed nearly every part of Iranian society.
Islamic law became the foundation of the country's legal system, mandatory dress codes for women were introduced, and many social and cultural rules changed.
History can change a nation in a single year. For Iran, that year was 1979.
🤔🤔
I want to thank the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Dutch House of Representatives for inviting me to speak today on behalf of millions of my compatriots fighting for liberty, justice, and democracy.
I am grateful to the Dutch police and parliamentary security services for their professionalism, assistance, and protection.
My heartfelt thanks also go to our Iranian compatriots who gathered respectfully outside Parliament to stand with the people of Iran.
The message I brought to The Hague was simple: the plight of the Iranian people must become the driving focus of international policy on Iran. Empowering them, not emboldening this regime, will bring lasting peace and stability.
ایرانیان ساکن تایلند با پوشیدن تیشرتهای کارزار «تیم واقعی ایران» و گرامیداشت یاد جاویدنامان انقلاب ملی شیر و خورشید، در مقابل سفارت آمریکا در بانکوک تجمع کردند.
نخستین روز از «هفته جهانی اقدام برای ایران آزاد»
شنبه ۴ ژوئیه، ۱۳ تیر