Iran's Protests are Evolving to Confront the Regime

[Dashinka 26,407]

Somewhat quietly, at least in the West, a lot of stuff is going on in Iran.  I look forward to talking to my colleague who is Iranian to see what he hears, but hopefully, these protesters are not hung out to dry.

 

Iran's Protests are Evolving to Confront the Regime

 

As 2026 begins, Iran is once again shaken by nationwide protests. Demonstrations have spread across major cities, and university students are chanting openly against the ruling system. Economic grievances have rapidly turned into political demands, reflecting a population that no longer believes reform within the existing structure is possible.

 

Outside Iran, many commentators are already defaulting to a familiar explanation. The protests are spontaneous. Leaderless. Another wave of anger that will eventually burn itself out.

 

That explanation is wrong.

 

What is unfolding in Iran today is not simply another eruption of public frustration. It is the continuation of a long-running confrontation between a deeply unpopular regime and an organized resistance that has learned how to survive, adapt, and persist under repression. The real story is not the size of the crowds, but the persistent refusal, particularly in the West, to recognize where real organization actually exists.

 

Inflation, currency collapse, and economic hardship are undeniably pushing Iranians into the streets. But economic pain alone does not explain why protests keep returning in Iran, or why they increasingly target the system itself rather than individual policies. Many countries experience inflation without facing repeated nationwide unrest. Iran is different because millions of people no longer believe that incremental change is achievable under the current regime. Protest has become a political act born of exhaustion with a system that has lost credibility.

 

https://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2026/01/03/irans_protests_are_evolving_to_confront_the_regime_1156561.html

[Dashinka 26,407]

A little more on this subject.

 

Iran’s heroic protesters need to hear that America is on their side

 

With the people of Iran once again rising up in protest against their oppressors, America’s leaders should leave no doubt that they side with the forces of freedom — and warn the gang that rules the country that Uncle Sam is watching.

 

“Death to Khamenei,” the crowds are now shouting. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s response began to turn deadly Thursday, with security goons firing on a crowd in the southwestern city of Lordegan, killing at least two.

 

https://nypost.com/2026/01/01/opinion/irans-heroic-protesters-need-to-hear-that-america-is-on-their-side/

[TBoneTX 48,884]

That Ayatollah needs to have his worthless carcass dragged through the streets.

All of his co-conspirators, too.

[Pooky 3,949]

The Iranian regime is unlikely to fall if the only dissent is mass protests. They have weathered enough of these in the past and are hard-headed enough to continue to do so.

 

i think the only way this evolves into significant change is if a senior figure, or more than one, in the IRGC decides that they have better prospects if they back the current President, or even the exiled Crown Prince. 
 

It would be far more preferable for the civilised world if the protest organically led to a truly democratic, secular revolution. However, the military, and in particular the IRGC, hold the most leverage.

 

What is worse is that any outside assistance could plunge the region into chaos, which makes it extremely unlikely that any help is coming for the protesters.

 

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Edited Tuesday at 12:24 AM by Pooky

[TBoneTX 48,884]

1 hour ago, Pooky said:

any outside assistance could plunge the region into chaos, which makes it extremely unlikely that any help is coming for the protesters

Do what I've been recommending for years -- turn their sand into glass, then go in and Take Our Oil.

[Pooky 3,949]

54 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

Do what I've been recommending for years -- turn their sand into glass, then go in and Take Our Oil.

The implicit collateral damage would be unacceptable. The Iranian people are not the enemy here.

 

Also, we don’t need that much glass. Solar reflectivity, climate effects and all that jazz.

 

☠️

[TBoneTX 48,884]

Just now, Pooky said:

The Iranian people are not the enemy here.

True.

Just now, Pooky said:

we don’t need that much glass

Too much glass?!  I'm shattered, verily, just shattered!