Following the end of the Iran–Iraq War in 1988, the IRGC gradually transformed from a purely military institution into a political and economic powerhouse. Many war veterans entered politics, business, or academia. Some remained loyal to the state, while others, disillusioned by corruption and authoritarianism, turned to reformist or opposition movements.
Bakhtiar belonged to the latter group. Despite his past service, he increasingly distanced himself from the establishment. His criticisms of government policies, particularly regarding political freedoms and human rights, marked him as a dissident.
Opposition to House Arrests
One of Bakhtiar’s most visible acts of dissent came in 2014, during a rally protesting the continued house arrest of opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard, and Mehdi Karroubi. These figures, leaders of the 2009 Green Movement, had been confined since early 2011 following the disputed presidential election and subsequent protests.
