Iran's Social Unrest and the Future of the Regime

About this episode

The episode discusses the recent social unrest in Iran, the regime's response, and the implications for its future.

Thousands dead, internet blackouts, and a currency in freefall. When merchants in Tehran's upscale Monet Street shopping center closed their stores on December 28, 2025, they triggered something the Islamic Republic hadn't faced in its 46-year history: sustained, nationwide protests met with unprecedented brutality. With over 2,000 casualties, a collapsing economy, and an 86-year-old Supreme Leader whose refusal to compromise has left the regime with no exit strategy, Iran finds itself at a crossroads. On January 13, Wikistrat convened Iran experts Dr. Sina Azodi, Ahmad Hashemi, and Alex Vatanka to assess whether this time is different and what comes next

People in this episode

Guests: Dr. Sina Azodi, Ahmad Hashemi, Alex Vatanka

Topics covered

• Iran
• social unrest
• protests
• regime change
• economy
• political analysis

Keywords

• Iran
• protests
• Supreme Leader
• economy
• social unrest
• political analysis
• Tehran

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Iran, Tehran

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