Across many Arab households along both sides of the Mediterranean, protests in Iran evoke a sense of déjà vu. It’s as if they have lived through this moment before. The crowds in the streets, the smoky tang of burning tires, the force of security forces, and a tense anticipation about what comes next—all of it feels intimate because it mirrors past events. More than a decade ago, Egyptians, Syrians, Tunisians, and Libyans faced similar thresholds. They rose up, demanded sweeping political change, and refused to bow to brutal repression. Now, in the quiet of exile or the wreckage left behind, they extend solidarity so that Iranians might secure a better future for themselves and for their neighbors.
At a feminist gathering in front of the Beirut National Museum, a banner proclaimed, “My body and my hair belong to no one but me.” A chorus rose: revolution and freedom. Feminist and human-rights groups gathered in front of the Iranian Cultural Center in Tunisia, echoing a broader urge for dignity and self-determination. Beyond the streets, social networks across the Arab world have amplified the Iranian protests. They see their own hopes reflected in Iran’s struggle, remembering decades of dreaming about radical change. While the protests may not have matched a sweeping regional wave, there is a clear commitment to solidarity with Iranian women.
Iranian unrest began as the state confronted the moral authority exercised over women’s dress and behavior, following the death of Mahsa Amini who had been detained over improper veiling. The outcry sparked a surge of feeling that transcended borders. In a moment when regional leaders offer cautious silence, citizens—men and women alike, young and old—watch closely what unfolds inside Iran. Across the Middle East and the Arab world, some leaders fear a similar Arab Spring scenario, wary of the possible demand for political reform at home. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, rejected the notion of a foreign conspiracy, while allied voices such as Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah labeled Amini’s death a troubling, unresolved incident.
In recent weeks, Iran has had to reallocate its attention to domestic politics, and the ripple effects are visible in neighboring areas under Tehran’s influence, including Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, and Syria. There, feminist and human-rights activists tread carefully. The regime appears unlikely to fall overnight, even as it experiences pressures that resonate with struggles inside the country. Yet the status quo feels unsustainable, and many in the region wait for events that could reshape their own political landscapes.
media role
Alongside a broad spectrum of protests, major regional media outlets like Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya highlight the central issues at stake. Security commentary and calls for caution have appeared in regional channels, with some officials warning about information channels that could influence public sentiment. Broad commentary on media coverage has become a talking point, and many observers interpret these statements as a nudge to scrutinize how the narrative is shaped. Regardless of specific outlets named, the ongoing coverage—whether through traditional networks or digital portals—has kept many audiences informed about events in Iran.
These portals often deliver timely updates even when authorities restrict access to some services, making it possible for audiences inside and outside Iran to monitor developments. In this environment, people from Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, the Kurds, Tunisia, Yemen, and Iraq turn to these sources to follow the progress of their Iranian neighbors.
Signing in support with a collective voice, a coalition of feminist and human-rights groups across the Middle East stands with Iranian women protesting violence and state control. The goal remains clear: to champion democracy, bodily autonomy, and fundamental freedoms throughout Iran. Across the Arab world and in exile, thousands of women have kept the conversation alive, often guided by screens that connect distant communities. As the number of casualties continues to rise and arrests accumulate, this solidarity movement presses on, resisting silence that might otherwise quiet these voices in the region.
[IranIntl, Oct 21, 2022]