How Iran's Regime Changed...for the Worse

How Iran's Regime Changed...for the Worse

From The Journal. by The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

April 20, 2026 · 19 min

About this episode

Margherita Stancati discusses how the Iranian regime has become more conservative and entrenched following key assassinations during the U.S.-Iran War.

Get your tickets to our L.A. live show here!At the outset of the U.S.-Iran War, the U.S. and Israel assassinated key figures in the Iranian regime, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But the killings of high-ranking officials have failed to spark the popular uprising President Trump initially called for. WSJ’s Margherita Stancati explores the current regime and reports that Iran’s theocratic dictatorship not only remains in control, but is more conservative, more radical, and more entrenched than ever before. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Strait of Hormuz Showdown - The Energy Shock Is Here - In Iran, an Uneasy Calm Amid a Cease-Fire Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Ryan Knutson

Guest: Margherita Stancati

Topics covered

  • Iran regime
  • theocracy
  • political assassination
  • U.S.-Iran relations
  • conservatism
  • radicalism

Keywords

  • Iran
  • regime
  • assassination
  • theocracy
  • U.S.-Iran War
  • Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
  • politics
  • conservatism
  • radicalism

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Wall Street Journal, Spotify Studios

Places: Iran, U.S., Israel

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