(Photo: AFP)PARIS - The widow of Iran’s last shah says there is “no turning back” after a wave of protests against the country’s clerical authorities, saying she is convinced the Iranian people will emerge victorious. Triggered on Dec 28 by smaller protests over economic hardship, nationwide rallies surged in Iran on January 8, challenging the Islamic republic in power for over four decades. Answer: I want to say to young Iranians: today you are writing, with immense courage, a new chapter of history… for Iran and for the world. He himself sees his role solely as the mouthpiece of young Iranians until the day of freedom. My desire and my need today are to return to Iran and to hold these exceptional children in my arms.

Source: Bangkok Post January 21, 2026 13:51 UTC