An Iran without the ayatollah is no longer unthinkable

By Ivan Sascha Sheehan

Published February 9, 2018 5:01am ET

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An Iran without the ayatollah is no longer unthinkable — Unlike protests in 2009, the overwhelming majority of those engaged in the recent 142-city uprising in Iran were from poor and underprivileged backgrounds. The difference made an impact that wasn't lost, not even on Ayatollah Khomeini. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) | Gregorio Borgia

This weekend marks the 39th anniversary of Ayatollah Khomeini’s return from exile in 1979 to hijack a popular movement that led to the dismissal of Iran’s monarchy and its dictatorship.

But the largest countrywide uprising since 2009 suggests that the Iranian people are prepared to write the next chapter in their history, and it may happen sooner than Tehran’s Washington lobby would like.

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Commentary Congress Internet Iran Israel Lebanon Middle East Nuclear Deal Protests Sanctions