The Islamic Republic has weathered bouts of turmoil in the past, from the rigged election of 2009 to the women-led protests of 2022. Each time, optimists predicted the regime’s imminent downfall; each time, it muddled through. B

Sixth, the Shah's reforms swelled the size of the two classes that posed the greatest challenges to his monarchy: the intelligentsia, and the urban working class. Their resentment of the Shah also grew, as they were now stripped of organizations that had represented them in the past and given them avenues for status, such as political parties,

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Since July the rial has plunged by 40% and hit an all-time low, which sent the price of imports soaring. Annual inflation is nearly 50%.