By Pooya stone
Today, the coronavirus crisis has become the practical and most significant problem for almost all governments across the globe.
However, concerns about the post-coronavirus era have emerged among Iranian officials as an issue that could potentially trigger a new crisis. This issue has turned into a major challenge, along with the government’s other crises in political, economic, and medical sectors. Notably, the main reason for the progress of the coronavirus is nothing but the ayatollahs’ “strategic confusion.” They also made horrible decisions about continuing flights to and from China and criminal concealing the virus entering the country, which has resulted in the death of more than 24,000 citizens so far, according to opposition groups.
The post-coronavirus, of course, was predictable in earlier weeks of the virus’s onset in the country. Officials’ remarks displayed volatile conditions of Iran’s society more. “In this context, official stats which are announced by the Health Ministry’s spokesperson about the infected people and mortalities are political rather than being actual. [President Hassan] Rouhani will be accused of secrecy if he cannot get out from the sphere of witless and inverting facts. This issue will result in the people’s distrust [toward the governing system] and deepen the rift between the nation and government,” Jahan-e Sanat daily wrote on April 8.
Iran’s Government Sits on a Powder Keg
The reflection of the government’s “strategic confusion” prompted authorities’ fears about the society’s cries and grievances. These days, the ayatollahs and their agents can realize the magnitude of public hatred against their disastrous policies. “Cries will rise the day after the coronavirus. The society pursues a major change,” Iran daily wrote on April 7.
Authorities also admit to the protesting potential of the society according to their experience. “We will have great social upheavals after the coronavirus and Iran’s tomorrow after [defeating] the virus won’t be quiet. We will face multiple, powerful events like [protests] after January 2018,” Iran daily added.
The Iranian government’s coverup reveals that the ayatollahs are exploiting this calamity to escape from people’s grievances before protecting the people’s lives and health. However, the recent protests and uprising, especially nationwide protests in November and January, have proven that the people’s struggle for freedom and justice has reached a significant landmark.
In this respect, the ayatollahs are concerned about the upcoming events after defeating the coronavirus crisis, which severely threatens their survival in power. Therefore, they account for the COVID-19 as a security challenge prior to any other explanation. “The relation between society and the state has reached a sensitive phase. Events in November and January, and the expansion of protests in [many cities and towns], along with people’s slogans and public apathy in the February elections, have created [vulnerable] conditions that require making tough decisions [to rescue the political system],” Sharq daily wrote on April 7.
Also, the ayatollahs’ loyalists expressed their concerns and warned about the consequences of the post-coronavirus era. The Islamic Republic’s advocates believe that the coronavirus wasn’t precedented either; however, they face deadly consequences for predicted events after defeating the deadly virus.
“We should know the consequences of predictable phenomena are very lethal and destructive if we didn’t learn lessons from unprecedented events,” Sharq daily quoted the former vice-president Mostafa Hashemitaba as saying on April 7.
Fundamental Change in Iran’s Post-Coronavirus Era
Since most problems in Iran are rooted in the government’s decisions and the type of ruling system, the society would certainly face political changes after defeating the coronavirus. “In such circumstances, optimism about passing the post-coronavirus era without bearing its vulnerable consequences is idiotic. The [virus] will end with changes in the nature and structure of political, economic systems. Now, the situation is more alarming,” Ebtekar daily wrote on April 9.
In conclusion, as the coronavirus is a measure for governments’ functions and assessing their priorities, the post-coronavirus era would be a report card for them. States will be judged by societies. In this respect, according to the Iranian government’s failure in containing and protecting the people’s lives and health, a new round of protests and uprising are expected the day after the coronavirus’ defeat. However, the real desire of Iranian citizens is seen by their spontaneous disinfecting initiatives against the coronavirus and anti-establishment activities against the ayatollahs’ rule.
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