Iran’s Brave Women Deserve the World’s Support

Over the past three weeks, young female protesters in Iran have led the biggest show of resistance against the country’s theocratic regime in more than a decade. US and European leaders have rightly voiced support for them. As the regime intensifies its brutal response, the West should do what it can to ensure the movement survives.

The eruption of anger was sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, who died in custody of Iran’s “morality police” after she was arrested for allegedly flouting local dress codes. Women across the country poured onto the streets to denounce the killing and demand more freedoms. In recent days, social media videos have shown schoolgirls openly confronting government officials and removing their headscarves in defiance. As the protests have expanded, the regime has responded with predictable fury.