Inside Iran: What Happened to Iran’s Women-led Uprising?

VICE News

VICE News

28 min, 40 sec

A detailed account of a journalist's experience in Iran, documenting protests over Masa Amini's death, and their abrupt detention by Iran's Security Forces.

Summary

  • The journalist and their crew were detained by Iran Security Forces, who confiscated their equipment and forced their departure from the country.
  • They documented the circumstances leading to the protests, including the death of Masa Amini after being detained by morality police for dress code violations.
  • Despite restrictions and surveillance, they spoke with protesters, dissidents, and a reformist cleric about the push for change and the regime's crackdown.
  • Interviews with government officials revealed denial and deflection regarding the extent of the protests and the state's violent response.
  • The experience highlighted the regime's control over media and the suppression of dissenting voices.

Chapter 1

Abrupt Detainment and Forced Departure

0:03 - 37 sec

The journalist's team was detained by Iran Security Forces, who confiscated their belongings and ordered them to leave the country.

The journalist's team was detained by Iran Security Forces, who confiscated their belongings and ordered them to leave the country.

  • The team's equipment and personal belongings were seized, and they were held in a hotel room for 18 hours.
  • The crew was allowed to leave the country with only their phones; other belongings were kept by the authorities.
  • The incident marked an extremely stressful conclusion to their reporting in Iran.

Chapter 2

Backdrop of Protests in Iran

0:57 - 1 min, 2 sec

The team documented the context of widespread protests in Iran following the death of Masa Amini.

The team documented the context of widespread protests in Iran following the death of Masa Amini.

  • Masa Amini's arrest by morality police for violating dress code and subsequent death sparked outrage and mass protests.
  • The regime responded with brute force, detaining thousands, killing hundreds, and executing several.
  • The protests are significant due to their scale and the defiance they represent against the regime.

Chapter 3

First US TV Crew Amidst Chaos

2:07 - 1 min, 2 sec

The journalist's team, as the first US TV crew in Iran since the protests, explored neighborhoods central to the protests.

The journalist's team, as the first US TV crew in Iran since the protests, explored neighborhoods central to the protests.

  • They visited a neighborhood that served as a gathering point for young protesters.
  • Local businesses were targeted by authorities for allowing entry to women not wearing hijabs.
  • Despite the crackdown, many women still openly defied the dress code.

Chapter 4

Police Intervention and Detainment

4:03 - 1 min, 13 sec

The team faced police intervention while interviewing locals, leading to their detainment and deletion of footage.

The team faced police intervention while interviewing locals, leading to their detainment and deletion of footage.

  • Within minutes of interviewing locals, the police arrived and surrounded the team.
  • They were taken to the roadside and detained, with some of their footage being forcibly deleted.
  • During nighttime, they observed protests and a strong police presence in the city.

Chapter 5

Government-Controlled Reporting

5:39 - 1 min, 12 sec

The team visited pre-approved locations, including Tehran's International Book Fair, and interviewed a hijab advisory center.

The team visited pre-approved locations, including Tehran's International Book Fair, and interviewed a hijab advisory center.

  • The visit to the book fair revealed government censorship, where only approved books were sold.
  • The hijab advisory center aimed to influence young people's views on wearing the hijab and the Western media's portrayal of it.

Chapter 6

The Clerical Establishment

11:07 - 1 min, 0 sec

The team explored the city of Qom, a center of clerical power, and discussed the public's anger towards the religious establishment.

The team explored the city of Qom, a center of clerical power, and discussed the public's anger towards the religious establishment.

  • The city of Qom is significant for its religious influence and its potential role in any regime change.
  • Recent protests have seen attacks on religious clerics, indicating a boiling point of resentment against the Theocratic system.

Chapter 7

Reformist Cleric's Perspective

13:21 - 38 sec

The team met with a reformist cleric who challenges the government and advocates for legitimacy and reform.

The team met with a reformist cleric who challenges the government and advocates for legitimacy and reform.

  • Muhammad tagi fazel mbodi, a self-proclaimed reformist cleric, questions the current government's legitimacy.
  • He occasionally removes his clerical clothing to avoid public anger and advocates for a system that allows personal freedom within Islam.

Chapter 8

Government Influence on the Youth

16:28 - 29 sec

The team observed how the regime influences the youth, training them in Islamic principles and loyalty to the current system.

The team observed how the regime influences the youth, training them in Islamic principles and loyalty to the current system.

  • The Basij, part of the security apparatus, trains young children in Islamic principles and loyalty to the regime.
  • The mission is to shape the next generation to ensure continuity of the current system.

Chapter 9

Journalistic Persecution and Government Denial

19:09 - 5 min, 55 sec

Journalists face persecution, and government officials deny the extent of protests and state violence.

Journalists face persecution, and government officials deny the extent of protests and state violence.

  • Photojournalist Yalda Moaiery has been arrested multiple times and faces ongoing legal challenges for her work.
  • Interviews with government officials reveal a denial of the protests' scale and the state's violent response.

Chapter 10

Confronting Government Officials

23:10 - 2 min, 28 sec

The team's conversation with the Vice President of Women's Affairs highlighted the government's stance on women's rights and dress code laws.

The team's conversation with the Vice President of Women's Affairs highlighted the government's stance on women's rights and dress code laws.

  • N Kazali, the Vice President of Women's Affairs, dodged questions about the hijab law and the death of Masa Amini.
  • The government's position appears to be in denial of the need for change, despite the protests and international outcry.

Chapter 11

Final Reflections on the Regime's Control

26:49 - 1 min, 48 sec

The journalist reflects on the regime's control over media and suppression of free speech after their detainment and forced exit.

The journalist reflects on the regime's control over media and suppression of free speech after their detainment and forced exit.

  • The team was forced to leave Iran after a tense detainment by security forces.
  • Their experience is a testament to the regime's efforts to silence dissent and control the narrative.
  • Post-departure, new repressive laws were enacted, and the morality police resumed operations.

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