Why Citizens Despise the Kleptocracy That Robbed Their Wealth and Stole Their Freedoms

The issue of pervasive economic mismanagement and systemic corruption is a primary grievance, fueling a deep anger among the populace who witness their nation's vast oil and gas wealth being squandered or hoarded by regime elites and their affiliated organizations. While officials grow obscenely rich, ordinary Iranians face crushing poverty, high unemployment—especially among the educated youth—and staggering inflation. The public's constant display of this appeasement is seen in economic protests and strikes, where market vendors, factory workers, and even teachers walk out, directly linking their plight to the regime's self-serving financial policies.