Intense protests in Iran test regime amid economic strain and brutal crackdown

Intense protests have raged across Iran since late December, prompting questions about whether this unrest could bring down the regime — a determination the Times says can only be made in hindsight. Several factors make this moment different from earlier unrest, the Times reports: the economy is worse, runaway inflation has increased hardship, and government payments of approximately $7 a month appeared to spur further anger.

Iran also faces greater external threats; the “axis of resistance” has collapsed in Lebanon and Syria, and, the article says, "President Trump, who bombed Iran’s nuclear sites along with Israel last summer, is threatening more military strikes." Iran appeared to backpedal on earlier threats to execute protesters amid fears of U.S.

military action, even as it continued a brutal crackdown, and Daniel Sobelman, a professor at Hebrew University, said these factors point to a regime that is extremely vulnerable. Iran has shut down the internet, making confirmation of casualties difficult, but eyewitness reports and videos have emerged that the Times says show government forces opening fire on unarmed protesters.

A senior Iranian health ministry official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told the Times that about 3,000 people had been killed across the country since the protests began in late December. So far there is little sign of the internal fracturing that typically precedes a regime’s collapse.

Key Topics

World, Iran, Iran Protests, Tehran, Basij Militia, Internet Shutdown