The trials were widely covered in the national press, and Ettelaat ran daily updates with photographs and transcripts from the courtroom. For ordinary Iranians, the sight of generals facing justice was unprecedented. Many hoped that this signaled a genuine turning point in the fight against corruption. Editorials praised Amini’s courage, describing the trials as “a mirror reflecting years of negligence and abuse.”
However, skepticism soon grew. Some commentators argued that the trials were politically motivated, designed to showcase Amini’s independence from the palace and his commitment to reform, rather than to secure actual justice. Within the army, resentment ran deep; officers saw the proceedings as a public humiliation of the military’s prestige.
Moreover, conservative newspapers hinted that the government might be using the trials as a diversion from economic difficulties, including inflation and unemployment. The Shah’s departure to Norway further fueled rumors that the monarchy was uncomfortable with the spectacle.
