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July 21, A Fateful Day in Iran’s History

Since 1952 to 2021, Iranians still struggle for their inherent rights against the dictatorships of Shah and Supreme Leader.

Throughout history, different nations remember various dates as fateful. For instance, Americans commemorate July 4th as their Independence Day, France commemorates July 14th as Bastille Day. September 2nd marks the end of World War II, and many people and leaders pay homage to those who resisted Nazism.

Sixty-nine years ago, on July 21, the people of Iran achieved a significant victory despite brutal suppression by the monarchic dictatorship. At the time, hundreds of thousands of citizens flooded onto the streets, declaring their support for Dr. Mohammad Mosaddegh.

The Background of July 21st Uprising in Iran

Several days earlier, Mosaddegh called on Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to allocate the appointment of the Minister of War to the government. In other words, to restrict the influence and power of rogue elements in the Army and Royal Court on the National Parliament, Mosaddegh intended to receive the privilege of appointing the war minister from the Shah.

Following five days of negotiations, the Shah finally refused Mosaddegh’s demand, leading him to resign on July 16. Mosaddegh’s resignation, however, sparked massive protests in Iran, particularly in the capital Tehran. The Shah and his favorite Prime Minister Ahmad Ghavam ol-Saltaneh resorted to oppressive measures to quell the protests.

However, the people severely resisted and continued protests despite the dictatorship’s atrocities. According to stats, between 20 to 63 people were killed, and many more were injured. Nevertheless, the Shah eventually succumbed to the nation’s demand and appointed Mosaddegh as the Prime Minister once again.

Furthermore, Mosaddegh gained the privilege of appointing the war minister, which significantly decreased the power and influence of elements that were dependent on foreign powers. Nonetheless, the Shah and his foreign supporters began a coup plot to subvert Mosaddegh’s government since the time.

On the same day, Mosaddegh and the people of Iran achieved another historic victory, and the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the Netherlands, vote in favor of Iran in the case of nationalization of Iran’s oil industry. Therefore, the people of Iran obtained two major victories on July 21, 1952, which turned this day into a historic and inspirational date for Iranians and many nations in the Middle East.

Iranians Continue Protests on the Anniversary of July 21

Despite the overthrow of the monarchic dictatorship in February 1979, the people of Iran did not achieve their goals. Instead, the ayatollahs led by Ruhollah Khomeini usurped the leadership of public protests and deceitfully directed the route of events in his favor.

Khomeini, in fact, replaced the monarchic dictatorship with religious fascism and betrayed millions of people who had seen him as a leader. Then, he started to remove dissidents and ordered his thugs to attack, arrest, torture, and execute hundreds of thousands of people. He also cruelly cracked down on ethnic and religious minorities in the provinces of Khuzestan, Kurdistan, Sistan & Baluchistan, Golestan, etc.

During the past 42 years, the citizens of the abovementioned provinces have suffered from additional pressure and hardship. Moreover, the government’s mismanagement has added insult to their injuries, and they merely received bullets and tear gas whenever they raised their voices for their inherent rights.

In recent days, the people in Khuzestan have once again come onto the streets, demanding officials resolve the water crisis. However, they faced cruel suppression instead of their water rights. Authorities mercilessly slaughtered protesters, leaving around ten people dead and hundreds wounded.

Such as other dictators, the Islamic Republic of Iran resorted to violence rather than hearing people’s grievances. The leaders’ oppressive approach only fueled public hatred and expanded protests from Khuzestan to other provinces. In addition to the oil-rich province of Khuzestan, citizens in Tehran, Alborz, Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari, Isfahan, Gilan, and other provinces have risen up in support of their compatriots in Khuzestan.

Today, not only the slogans of “Death to the dictator,” “Death to [Supreme Leader Ali] Khamenei,” “Death to the principle of Velayat-e Faqih,” “The mullahs, shame on you, let go of our homeland,” and “[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] IRGC members, shame on you, let go of our homeland,” are heard in Khuzestan, but the people are chanting them across the country.

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Iran’s Government Sowed Winds of Misery, Is Reaping Its Whirlwinds

The recent protests and their continuation once again showed the Iranian people’s desire for fundamental changes and the move for the establishment of a free, democratic, secular, and non-nuclear republic of Iran. The Iranian people had already demonstrated their determination through the nationwide boycott of the Presidential election on June 18 and the support of the democratic alternative’s virtual gathering on July 10.

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