Veteran Reflects on Echoes of Conflict and Calls for Regime Change

A former student recounts experiences during the Iran-Iraq War and a subsequent call for revolution.

During February 28th, a conflict involving the United States and Israel targeted Iran, initiating a campaign that extended beyond military installations to encompass civilian infrastructure, including housing, educational institutions, medical facilities, business districts, and historical landmarks. The current situation evokes memories of the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), a period when a 20-year-old student, a member of an opposition group in Tehran, witnessed the devastating effects of conflict firsthand. In October 1980, while distributing anti-government pamphlets, the individual and a friend were caught in an intense barrage from air defense systems, experiencing fear and disorientation amidst the chaos. Several weeks later, while discussing protests and regime change in a Tehran park, the pair encountered a low-flying Iraqi fighter jet dropping leaflets urging Iranians to revolt. Recognizing the situation as a manipulation of their anti-regime efforts, they viewed Saddam Hussein’s actions as an attempt to hijack their struggle. The individual’s group debated whether to participate in defending the country against Iraqi aggression or to exploit the war to advance their agenda of regime overthrow. Ultimately, they chose the latter, believing that widespread opposition was the only path to ending the attacks on Iranian cities. Despite the government’s significant popular support, the group rejected the idea that the masses needed to overthrow the state to halt the bombing.