Iran has begun the New Year with a bang. Protesting against rising prices and the consistent denial of democratic rights, Iranians have taken to the streets in echoes of 1978. Even more striking is that the grandson of the deposed monarch, Reza Pehalvi has announced his intent to return to Iran to “bring democracy.” The powers that lobbed missiles at Iran last year, US and Israel have now openly called for a change in leadership. It places Iranian nationalists in a quandary, given that the calls are coming from countries that could take advantage of their weakness. However, given the Iranian government’s failure to open up to its own people makes it more vulnerable today than any period in 40 years
