Threats of Emerging Terrorist Groups to the National Security of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Last Decade

Abstract

During recent decades, the country has faced unrest, and the system, through continuous and multilateral efforts, has managed these incidents. Unfortunately, within the framework of security governance, these activities have been neglected and neither identified nor enumerated, which constitutes the problem addressed by this research. Today, in all countries—even in developed ones—disagreements and conflicts between the government and the people are commonplace. However, the crucial point is how opposition is expressed, demands are voiced, crises are managed, and how the system decides and responds to these demands. If the recent riots and unrest are examined from the perspective of the types of actors involved, one encounters various groups of actors, each motivated by specific objectives and employing particular methods. Nevertheless, the interplay and complexity among different variables—alongside driving factors and provocative elements—have transformed the actors’ actions from parallel endeavors into convergence, synergy, and cohesion, ultimately positioning them in conflict with the system’s values and structures. A proper understanding of the demands, objectives, and methods of each group of actors can assist decision-makers in selecting appropriate responses—whether to address legitimate demands correctly and logically or to confront and counter illegitimate excesses.