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Iran: A Generation Rising from the Rubble to Build a Future of Freedom
By Shahriar Kia – Iranian Writer
Iran today stands on the brink of collapse. Polluted air, dry soil, and broken spirits bear the scars of four decades under clerical rule. This devastation did not emerge overnight—it is the result of compounding crises: a suffocating economy, a crumbling education system, and a vanishing environment. Rivers are drying up, land is sinking, and cities are decaying. But the deepest crisis is that of the soul—one in four Iranians suffers from mental health disorders, and the youth are drowning in despair and anxiety.
The economy is barely breathing through artificial support. Inflation has wiped out half of the average income over the past decade, and basic needs have become a distant dream. The education system, politicized and neglected, has robbed a generation of creativity and opportunity. Iran's once-precious environment is vanishing, with rivers and lakes drying up. Land subsidence quietly consumes cities, signaling an impending disaster. These are not isolated missteps, but symptoms of systemic failure.
The brain drain has turned into a mass exodus. Doctors, engineers, and researchers flee the country every year in search of hope. For many, building a life in Iran has become impossible. This generation—born amid economic crises and political repression—faces painful questions: Why stay? What future is there to pursue? When institutions are corrupt, education is hollow, media is propaganda, and merit has no value, despair becomes a daily companion.
Yet amid this devastation, a powerful awakening is emerging. The youth have abandoned the illusion of reform. The regime’s lies no longer convince. The 2022 uprising revealed a profound truth: the people are not demanding reforms—they are demanding regime change. The slogans of that movement were not mere chants, but declarations of intent for an Iran free from theocratic tyranny.
At the heart of this struggle stand the Resistance Units—grassroots cells spread across Iran’s cities and villages. These units empower youth, offering ideological clarity, practical training, and emotional solidarity. Through them, young Iranians learn the value of organization, the power of unity, and the necessity of discipline. Technology has become their weapon: digital platforms expose the regime’s lies, coordinate protests, and spread truth. These efforts are laying the foundation for a democratic Iran, brick by brick.
Free Iran Conference 2025 in Rome: Global Support for the Youth's Struggle
On July 31, 2025, the Italian Parliament hosted the “Free Iran 2025” conference, where Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the elected president of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, praised the courage of the youth and the Resistance Units in defying tyranny. She declared, “This generation is leading the revolution for freedom, armed with will and organization.” Rajavi presented her ten-point plan as a roadmap for a democratic Iran—free from oppression, supportive of gender equality, and based on free elections.
Senator Giulio Terzi called on the international community to support this struggle, warning of the regime’s threat to the Arab region through its backing of terrorism in countries like Lebanon and Yemen. He demanded the inclusion of the IRGC on terror lists and emphasized that Arab solidarity with Iranian youth would pave the way for regional peace.
This freedom-loving generation is backed by a resilient resistance movement. What is needed is not a return to the past, but the vision of a future yet to be seen—an Iran that is just, transparent, and free. The answer lies not in miracles or the promises of foreign powers, but in relentless struggle through connection and collective action. This generation, despite its wounds and exhaustion, remains steadfast. They are the architects of the future, rising from the rubble, asking no permission.
Will the world remain silent in the face of this resilience?
Freedom awaits an answer.
