Between hope and despair: the future of Iran

That became evident last Monday during the event “From Protest to Geopolitical Game: The Middle East”, where Damon Golriz, Pejman Akbarzadeh, Uri Rosenthal, and moderator Janny Groen discussed the explosive situation in the country.

The event provided insight into the complex situation in the Middle East and attracted a full audience of students and colleagues. Where the media stops at daily reporting, we delved deeper into fear, geopolitical interests, and the responsibility of the West.

The myth of reform

According to speaker Damon Golriz, we must let go of the idea that anything can be improved within the current system. “Journalists often fail to see that the so‑called ‘reformists’ are merely trying to sell an idea, while they are part of the establishment. It is a ‘zombie regime.’”

Pejman agreed and emphasized that the Iranian population has moved beyond fear but is trapped in a system that cannot be reformed. He shared a personal and painful example: “My cousin’s husband has been shot and is now constantly monitored because they are afraid he might escape.” It reflects the paranoia of a regime that tolerates no dissent.

Iran as a geopolitical weapon

Uri Rosenthal broadened the perspective to the global stage. According to him, Iran is no longer an isolated problem but a destabilizing force in the entire Middle East and beyond. “It is not just Iran”, Uri explained. “Iran has become one of Russia’s most important weapons against Ukraine.”

He pointed to the responsibility of the West and the concept of Responsibility to Protect (R2P). “When a government is unable to coexist peacefully with its own population, the international community has a duty to intervene.” Yet he noted that the hands of many EU member states seem tied. The discussion also addressed the role of the United States. Trump’s promises give some Iranians hope, as they believe the regime will only collapse under extreme pressure or even military threat. “Iranians fear damaging the economy, but they want other countries to defend them”, Pejman said.

A deadly strategy

The speakers did not shy away from the harsh reality. Damon described the ideology of the ruling powers as a death cult: “They have the willingness to kill as many people as necessary to stay in power. For them, death is not a tragedy but a strategy.” Uri reinforced this image with a 

chilling statistic: in one night, a single morgue in one city received no fewer than 20,000 bodies.

Despite these horrors, the ‘long arm of Tehran’ continues to reach far. Uri shared that he himself has been placed on a terrorist list by the Ayatollahs due to his role in the “Free Iran Committee.” “The rulers grow nervous because of the demonstrations. Never underestimate your own ability to make a difference. Join others and raise your voice.”

The role of education

The event ended with a reflection on the role of knowledge institutions. Damon expressed gratitude for the platform provided by THUAS: “We need these gatherings to truly understand what is happening. The media is not enough.”

Uri also shared his hope. “When we talk about Iran, we’re always discussing crisis management. I hope that history will show that we are now talking about the beginning of the end of the regime of the Ayatollahs.”

Pejman concluded with a message from the people of Iran themselves: “I receive many messages from Iranians who are proud of the support from other countries. It gives them hope for the future.”