Iranian opposition

The Lion and Sun flag (1907–1980) widely recognised as a symbol of opposition to the Islamic Republic
The green-white-red tricolour without an emblem (1907–1980) is less often used by some opposition groups

The Iranian opposition consists of various political groups, movements and people who oppose the government of the Islamic Republic and its system of theocratic clerical rule based on the doctrine of the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist (Velayat-e Faqih). The opposition is ideologically diverse and includes republicans, monarchists, secularists, nationalists, liberals, and communists. In addition to secular and nationalist currents, Islamist groups and dissident Shia clerics have criticised aspects of the Islamic Republic and its political structure, certain Sunni Islamist and Kurdish Islamist movements have also opposed the state for religious or political reasons.

Opposition activity occurs both inside Iran and among the Iranian diaspora abroad. Within Iran, political opposition is heavily restricted, and many opposition organisations operate clandestinely or from exile due to legal prohibitions and political repression from the government. Periodic nationwide protests have challenged the authorities, including the 1999 student protests, the 2009 Green Movement and 2009 protests following disputed presidential elections, the 2017–2018 and 2019–2020 protests, the 2022–2023 protests that followed the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, and the 2025–2026 protests, which have been the largest unrest since the 1979 Revolution. These demonstrations were met with large-scale security crackdowns, resulting in numerous deaths, injuries, and arrests.

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