Former Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is said to have been arrested for inciting unrest against the government by allegedly criticizing both Supreme leader Ali Khamenai and President Hasan Rouhani. According to media, the sixth President of Islamic republic was arrested during a visit to Bushehr. His arrest brings under the spotlight a key fact in relation to the current political unrest in Iran-the protests are not leaderless.
The current Iran situation is characterized by growing dissatisfaction among people mainly on account of worsening economic conditions. It has been reported by media that unemployment in the Islamic republic is quite high (12.5 percent) in entire population; it is as high as nearly 27 percent in the population group of people between 15 and 24 years. Constant high increases in various daily use items, particularly those related to food, seem to have also greatly contributed to unrest in Iran.
The situation has thrown up a golden opportunity for US President Donald Trump to seek to stoke unrest in a country that has shown historic perseverance and determination against the machinations of Washington. The Hasan Rouhani government is required to deal with the situation with a lot of prudence and foresight in order to protect and preserve the Revolution's gains.