Ertuğrul Özkök’s Analysis of Iran-US Peace; The Woman Who Became a Symbol of Change

While the world continues to digest the news regarding the "Islamabad Accord" and the official end of military conflicts between Iran and the United States, famous Turkish analyst Ertuğrul Özkök has addressed the social dimensions of this peace in a distinct commentary. He believes that the key to understanding this major political shift should not be sought in diplomatic texts, but rather in a specific photograph from the streets of Tehran [1].

The Islamabad Accord; An End to a Devastating War In mid-June 2026, after months of intense conflict and tensions that pushed the region to the brink of collapse, a historic memorandum known as the "Islamabad Accord" was finally signed between Donald Trump and Masoud Pezeshkian, mediated by Pakistan, Qatar, and Turkey [2]. Although this agreement was shaken in recent days by sporadic attacks in the Persian Gulf, fresh reports from Doha indicate that both sides are close to a final agreement on a total cessation of hostilities and the reopening of trade routes [3][4]. Özkök notes in his column that this peace, rather than being a strategic choice, is the result of deep and irreversible changes within the layers of Iranian society.

The Image of a Woman; When Courage Replaces Fear The centerpiece of Özkök's column is a photograph that has recently gained widespread attention on social media and international media. In this image, a woman in a pink shirt with a ponytail is walking down a Tehran street without a hijab, displaying stunning confidence. The symbolic point of this photo is its background: images of former and current regime leaders who once considered such a presence as "enmity against God" [1]. Özkök writes: "How is it possible for a girl in Tehran to walk in broad daylight with such pride, when just a few months ago women's lives were taken for such an act?" He considers this image a document of the end of the era of fear and the beginning of an era where the regime has been forced to retreat in the face of social demands [1].

The End of the Era of Mullahs and the Rise of New Powers Özkök goes further in his analysis, claiming that the power structure in Iran, following the passing of old leaders, has transformed from a "cleric-centered system" toward a "militia state" [1]. He believes that the new regime, to ensure its survival and counter external pressures, has been forced to grant major concessions to society on the domestic front, particularly to women. Peace with America is actually part of this survival strategy; a situation where the regime prefers to come to terms with the foreign enemy to prevent a complete internal collapse. Özkök emphasizes that this woman with the ponytail is the true symbol of society's victory over rigid ideologies, which paved the way for diplomacy [1].

Regional Consequences of an Unexpected Peace Although the Islamabad Accord focuses on ending the war, its consequences are felt throughout the Middle East. From Lebanon to Yemen, Iranian-backed groups now face a new reality. Özkök concludes his column by noting that peace between Tehran and Washington, though fragile, represents the exhaustion of both sides from endless wars. He warns that while the weapons may fall silent, the battle for the future of Iran's identity will continue in the streets, led by the same women whom Özkök calls the "silent victors" [1][3].