THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Trump exchanges threats with Iran officials over protests | AP News This combo shows President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. and Iranian Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Bilal Hussein) People wave Iranian flags as one of them holds up a poster of the late commander of the Iran’s Revolutionary Guard expeditionary Quds Force, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone attack in 2020 in Iraq, during a ceremony commemorating his death anniversary at the Imam Khomeini grand mosque in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) A woman shows a portrait of the late commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard expeditionary Quds Force, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone attack in 2020 in Iraq, on her smartphone during a ceremony commemorating his death anniversary at the Imam Khomeini grand mosque in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump and top Iranian officials exchanged dueling threats Friday aswidening protestsswept ac…

Iran is More Prepared for Democracy than Many Realize Dual-use institutions: Photos of political prisoners killed by the Iranian regime in 1988 are on display in Piazza Santi Apostoli in Rome, 30 July, 2025. Image: Independent Photo Agency Srl / Alamy Stock Regime change in Iran is far harder than many assume. But if the Islamic Republic were to fall, the country already possesses a robust institutional scaffolding – linking central ministries to elected authorities in more than 1,000 cities and 35,000 villages – that could become the foundation for a democratic system of governance. Please wait while we verify your account for you to view this content. keywords Topics Hybrid and State Threats Global Security Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism Regions and Country Groups Middle East and North Africa Iran WRITTEN BY Kian Tajbakhsh Guest Contributor View profile Share this page facebook twitter linkedin email bluesky Media Enquiries Jim McLean Media Relations Manager +44 (0)7917 373 069 JimMc@rusi.org Footnotes

Iran has a long history of defying bullies. Trump has reaped the ... The modern history of the Middle East can be read as a single, enduring dialectic: humiliation and the revolutions of dignity it produces. Since the first waves of colonial intrusion, the region has been shaped by this pattern. Iran offers one of its most condensed expressions, though it is not the only one. In 1892 , a single ruling issued from Najaf brought a country to a halt. Across Iran, people stopped smoking overnight, in bazaars, in homes, even in the royal court. It was not about tobacco . It was about humiliation. A nation had been handed over to foreign control, and for the first time, it refused. There is a simple rule in politics that empires repeatedly fail to understand. Humiliation does not produce submission. It produces resistance. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters It settles slowly, embeds deeply, and returns sharper, harder, and more dangerous than before. It is not forgotten. It accumulates. And when it matures, it does not return as compliance, but as defiance. Radica…

From Fall of Shah to Rise of Ayatollahs: What Changed After Iran's 1979 ... The fall of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and the rise of Khomeini reshaped Iran — politically, socially and globally — in ways still felt today (AI-generated image) Written by : Mansi Arora Updated Feb 24, 2026, 18:17 IST Share The Iranian Revolution of 1979 stands as one of the most transformative events of the 20th century, reshaping the nation’s religion, politics, economy, and global alliances. What began as mounting frustration over economic hardship and political repression eventually evolved into a dramatic overthrow of the Shah’s regime and the birth of the Islamic Republic. While many remember it as a “religious revolution,” the truth is more complex — the uprising was driven not only by faith but by deep-rooted economic and social grievances that had been building for years. Before the revolution, Iran, particularly its capital city of Tehran, was known for its fashion, nightlife, and progressive thinking. However, today, religion has a much bigger role to play in politics and public life. This did not occur in one day, but it would be fair to say that the turning point was 1979. To understand 1979, we …

Dissent grows against deal in Iran - but the regime is likely ... - CNN A child holds an image of Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, during a rally against the US and Israel in Tehran on June 7, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/Wana News Agency/Reuters The Middle East Media See all topics Facebook Tweet Email Link Threads Link Copied! Follow Summary Hardline factions in Iran are mounting media campaigns alongside public protests against a potential deal with the US to end their conflict. Despite the dissent from groups like the Endurance Front, Iran's regime structure retains ultimate control over whether to sign the memorandum. Iranian media outlets have cautioned that disagreement could become division. AI-generated summary was reviewed by a CNN editor. With the US and Iran inching towards an agreement to end the conflict that began more than three months ago, it’s clear that some factions in Iran are not happy about what’s on offer. Hardliners have been taking to state-media with harsh criticisms of the reported details of the “memorandum of understanding;” and some rallies have seen chanting against the negotiators. Despite the discord, the regime is likely to have the final say. …

Iran army chief threatens preemptive attack over 'rhetoric' | AP News In this photograph released on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, by the official website of the Iranian Army, Iran’s army chief Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami speaks to military academy students, in Tehran, Iran. (Masoud Nazari Mehrabi/Iranian Army via AP) In this photograph released on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, by the official website of the Iranian Army, Iran’s army chief Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami speaks to military academy students, in Tehran, Iran. (Masoud Nazari Mehrabi/Iranian Army via AP) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s army chief threatened preemptive military action Wednesday over the “rhetoric” targeting the Islamic Republic, likely referring toU.S. President Donald Trump’s warningthat if Tehran “violently kills peaceful protesters,” the United States “will come to their rescue.” The comments by Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami come as Iran tries to respond to what it sees as a dual threat posed by Israel and the United States, as well as theprotests sparked by its economic woesthat have grown into a direct challenge to its theocracy. Seeking to halt the anger, Iran’s government began Wednesday paying the equivalent of $7…

Iranian Revolution of 1979: How a Monarchy Fell and a Rise of Islamic ... The Iranian Revolution of 1979 transformed Iran and reshaped the politics of the Middle East. This article explores how growing protests, economic tensions, and the rising influence of Ruhollah Khomeini brought an end to the Shah’s rule and led to the creation of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In 1979, Iran went through a huge political change that shocked the world. For many years, the country had been ruled by a king called the Shah. But in early 1979, massive protests and unrest forced the Shah to leave Iran. Soon after, a new system of government was created called the Islamic Republic of Iran. This revolution changed Iran’s politics, society, and its relationship with other countries. It also showed how powerful a large public movement could be when many different groups come together. Two important people were at the center of these events. One was Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the ruler of Iran who wanted to modernize the country and keep strong ties with Western nations. The other was Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, a religious leader who believed Iran should be guided by Islamic principles rather than by …

The Iranian Voices America Isn't Hearing - The Nation March 1, 2026 The Iranian Voices America Isn’t Hearing We need to listen to those who oppose both the Islamic Republic’s authoritarianism and foreign military escalation. Sina Toossi Share Copy Link Facebook X (Twitter) Bluesky Pocket Email Iranians gather at Palestine Square in Tehran carrying Iranian flags, chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans to protest the attacks by the United States and Israel on February 28, 2026. (Fatemeh Bahrami / Anadolu via Getty Images) When the streets of Iran ran red last January, when mothers searched hospital corridors for sons who never came home, when the internet went dark and the state called its own people “rioters,” something remarkable happened. From prison cells. From house arrest. From union organizers and writers’ circles. From Kurdish towns and Tehran universities. Iranian civil society spoke. Current Issue July/August 2026 Issue They condemned the Islamic Republic’s mass killings as crimes. They demanded accountability, freedom, and transformational change. They called for a referendum and a constituent assembly. They rejected clerical authoritarianism. And they rejected war. Now…

Medvedev says final US-Iran deal will be hard to reach Iranians living abroad began holding rallies on Saturday as a "Global Week of Action for a Free Iran" got underway as the Islamic Republic launched a week of funeral ceremonies for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The campaign follows a call by Prince Reza Pahlavi. The first gathering took place outside the US embassy in Canberra, Australia, with participants voicing support for a transition away from the Islamic Republic. Similar rallies were scheduled later on Saturday outside US embassies in Milan, Berlin, Stockholm, London, Brussels, Paris and Ottawa, as well as outside the US consulate in Calgary, according to the organizers. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned on Saturday against any foreign military presence in the Strait of Hormuz after Britain and France said they stood ready to support freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway. "The Strait of Hormuz is not a place for military displays by outside powers," Gharibabadi wrote on X. "Iran, as the responsible power and guarantor of security in the Strait, warns against any military movement in this waterway," he said. He added …

Dutch PM urges Iran to stop violence, free detainees and restore ... Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheal Martin condemned the “brutal and violent suppression” of protesters in Iran and urged Tehran to end the crackdown. Martin said the repression had left hundreds of civilians dead in recent days and added that Iranians had a fundamental right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression, according to a statement issued by the government of Ireland. He urged authorities in Tehran to uphold the rights of all citizens and called for an end to violence and restrictions on basic freedoms. “The violence must stop, the curtailing of basic freedoms must end, and dialogue begin at once,” Martin said. Iran’s foreign ministry said on Monday that a communication channel between Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff remains open, after Trump said Tehran had reached out about possible talks. “The communication channel between Mr Araghchi and the US president’s special representative is open, and whenever necessary, messages are exchanged through that channel,” foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said. He added that Iran remain…

Global press freedom violations during the Iran war Share this: Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email The Committee to Protect Journalists is monitoring press freedom violations related to the ongoing military escalation between Israel, the U.S and Iran and its spillover across the Middle East, including its regional and global impact on journalists and media workers. Since the Iran war broke out on February 28, when the U.S and Israel launched strikes on Iran and Tehran retaliated with attacks across the region, CPJ has documented arrests of journalists, interference with reporting, airstrikes damaging media infrastructure, and sweeping restrictions on coverage both within the region and globally. To date, CPJ has documented: 9 journalists killed since the Iran war began 1 journalists kidnapped 7 journalists injured 16 journalists targeted, assaulted, threatened, or harassed 9 media outlets damaged in airstrikes, with some reports of injuri…

Iran's Theocracy Escalates Rhetoric As Protests Grow ‘Death To America’: Iran’s Theocracy Escalates Rhetoric As Protests Grow (ANALYSIS) The warning issued by Iran that U.S. and Israeli forces would become “legitimate targets” if the Trump administration strikes the Islamic Republic of Iran is less a statement of military doctrine than a window into how the country’s theocratic system responds when its authority is challenged from within. As nationwide protests, which started on Dec., 28, stretched into a third week and the death tolls climbed on Sunday, the Iranian regime’s instinctive pivot toward external confrontation reveals both its ideological foundations and its growing insecurity. At its core, Iran is not governed like a nation-state, but as a clerical polity in which sovereignty is vested in the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Since the Iranian Revolution of 1979 , all institutions — presidency, parliament, justice system and security forces — exist to preserve a system known as velayat-e faqih (guardianship of the Islamic jurist). READ: Pope Leo Warns Of A World Sliding Back Towards ‘Zeal For War’ This Shia Islamic political theory asserts that a faqih — or Isla…

Iran After Khamenei - Boston Review March 3, 2026 On Saturday Israel and the United States abruptly launched a large-scale war against Iran—the second unprovoked attack by U.S.-Israeli forces in less than a year—in the middle of diplomatic negotiations in Geneva. As of this writing, more than 550 Iranians have been killed, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, members of his family, several other senior Iranian leaders, and scores of civilians. The war comes as Iranians are still reeling from their own government’s crackdown on mass protests in early January, when hundreds of thousands took to the streets across the country in what is known as the Dey 1404 uprising, referring to its date in the Iranian calendar. Islamic Republic security forces responded brutally, killing thousands in the worst mass slaughter of protesters in Iranian history and detaining and injuring tens of thousands more. Iranians had just finished marking a traditional chehelom or fortieth-day memorial of protesters’ deaths with angry, mournful marches a week before Israeli and U.S. bombs began to fall. To put the war and recent protests in context, I spoke with Iranian American sociologist Asef Bay…

Cut off from most communication, Iranian protesters share rare stories ... Protesters march on a bridge in Tehran, Iran, on Dec. 29, 2025. (Fars News Agency via AP, File) This frame grab from videos taken between Jan. 9 and Jan. 11, 2026, and circulating on social media purportedly shows images from a morgue with dozens of bodies and mourners after crackdown on the outskirts of Iran’s capital, in Kahrizak, Tehran Province. (UGC via AP) In this photo obtained by The Associated Press, Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (UGC via AP) In this photo obtained by The Associated Press, a slogan is written on a wall reading in Farsi, “Death to dictator” during an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (UGC via AP) This frame grab from videos taken between Jan. 9 and Jan. 11, 2026, and circulating on social media purportedly shows images from a morgue with dozens of bodies and mourners after crackdown on the outskirts of Iran’s capital, in Kahrizak, Tehran Province. (UGC via AP) BEIRUT (AP) — This timefelt different. The 25-year-old Iranian fashion designer hoped thatmass protests nearly four years ago— the one…

Some celebrate in Iran after supreme leader's death - KCRA Some celebrate in Iran after supreme leader's death, but deep fear and uncertainty remain Some celebrate in Iran after supreme leader's death, but deep fear and uncertainty remain President Trump is back at the White House this morning, and we are expecting to learn more details about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Pentagon is scheduled to brief reporters in just *** couple of hours for the first time since the start of the war. Overnight, the violence in the Middle East intensified. New video shows US Navy ships launching missiles. We're also seeing for the first time US forces striking. Iranian aircraft targets. All of this comes as Iranian-backed militias widen the war in the region. *** few hours ago there was black smoke and heavy flames at Erbil Airport in Iraq, home to US military assets, just one of many targets struck. As far as diplomacy between the US and Iran is concerned, that appears unlikely at this point. *** top Iranian security official. Said overnight Iran will not negotiate with the US The Department of Defense has reported 3 US service members have been killed so far, and President Trump …

Iran news: Lawmakers chant 'death to America, death to Israel' in ... Millions face delays to receive £829 as car finance compensation suspended Iranian lawmakers chant 'death to America, death to Israel' X BySusanna Siddell, Published: 01/02/2026 Updated: 01/02/2026 The President has refused to back down from expanding US military presence near Tehran Watch the chilling moment Iranian lawmakers chant "death to America, death to Israel" amid escalating tensions with Donald Trump. All dressed in the uniform of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps - the military body which defends the Islamic regime - hordes of politicians were led by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghaliba in the incendiary chant. The unsettling video has emerged just hours after the Iranian regime declared Europe's militaries "terror groups" in retaliation against the European Union proscribing the IRGC on Thursday. Brussels's decision to blacklist the group has consequentlypiled pressure on Sir Keir Starmerto follow suit, which he is yet to do. Mr Ghalibaf said: "By trying to hit the revolutionary guards... the Europeans actually shot themselves in the foot and once again made a decision against th…

2,000 Iranian clerics bless Trump assassination - Shabtabnews 2,000 Iranian clerics bless Trump assassination August 2, 2025 Social and Political iranintl – Over 2,000 Iranian clerics including several senior officials called the shedding of Donald Trump’s blood religiously permissible, essentially endorsing his assassination, in a sharp escalation of official rhetoric in the theocracy against the US president. “The era of revolutionary restraint and patience has ended and henceforth, Trump’s blood and wealth are halal and avenging Soleimani’s blood is obligatory for every Muslim and freedom-loving man and woman,” according to a statement released Friday by the Qom seminary’s press office. Trump authorized the 2020 killing of senior Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in a Baghdad drone strike. Signatories ranged from junior seminarians to among the most prominent clerics in the country. “The blood and property of this savage criminal are halal,” the statement said. “The nations will not remain silent. Retaliation is coming.” The signatories include Tehran’s Friday prayer leader Ahmad Khatami, Expediency Council member Mohsen Araki, and Guardian Council member Mehdi Shabzendedar — …

Iran's Regime Faces Public Fury as Protests Continue Over Corruption ... Home Iran News Now Iran Protests & Demonstrations Iran's Regime Faces Public Fury as Protests Continue Over Corruption, Incompetence, and... Iran Protests & Demonstrations Iran’s Regime Faces Public Fury as Protests Continue Over Corruption, Incompetence, and Repression Written by Mansoureh Galestan 5th September 2025 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Reddit Email Print Protest by retired educators in front of the Ministry of Education in Tehran September 2, 2025 In the first days of September 2025, a new and defiant wave of protests swept across Iran, revealing the profound depth of public anger against the clerical regime’s systemic corruption and catastrophic mismanagement. From retired teachers in Tehran and victims of state-linked housing fraud in Fasa to taxi drivers in Zahedan and university students fighting for their rights, diverse segments of Iranian society have taken to the streets. These are not isolated incidents over single grievances but a unified national outcry against a regime that has plundered the nation’s wealth, dismantled basic services, and met every demand with contempt. Economic …

Ghalibaf lashes out at opponents of US talks | Iran International Iran International has received reports that an Iranian man was violently assaulted in central London. The Metropolitan Police are understood to be investigating. The man has not been named. Sources say he was a professional working in the area and a peaceful opponent of the Iranian government. The attack comes at a time of growing concern about threats, intimidation, and violence affecting people linked to Iran in Britain. Continue reading The man has not been named. Sources say he was a professional working in the area and a peaceful opponent of the Iranian government. The attack comes at a time of growing concern about threats, intimidation, and violence affecting people linked to Iran in Britain. On Friday, British police charged three people over an attempted arson attack near the London offices of Iran International. Police said a burning container was thrown towards the broadcaster’s headquarters in north-west London. No one was injured, but the case has added to concerns about the safety of Persian-language media in Britain. Before that, in March 2026, an Iran-aligned group was reported to have claime…

'This isn't a leader. This is a man in hiding': the myth ... 50% off limited time offer Subscribe international Sunday 22 June 2025 International Iran Share Related articles: Iran’s ‘funeral of the century’ for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei draws regime’s top brass out of hiding The funeral of Iran’s slain supreme leader sends a message of defiance In Tehran, even under a rain of missiles, people find each other. That’s the image emerging on Iran’s fractured, unstable internet. Among those is Bahman, a bookseller in central Tehran. Each evening, he posts late-night updates from his shop – cafe lights still flickering, cigarettes passed under taped windows, strangers exchanging meaningful nods. Another social media user wrote: “The city is wounded, but still breathing – together.” These snapshots capture more than defiance. They speak of a fragile intimacy, a country turning inward to hold itself up. And yet, while the people huddle in the dark, the man who rules them does so alone – and in hiding. Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, has never seemed so exposed. For decades, he built a regime sustained by ideology, fear and the myth of invincibility. That myth now lies i…

BREAKING Over 12,000 Feared Dead in Iran Protests - Pope Leo XIV Calls ... BREAKING Over 12,000 Feared Dead in Iran Protests - Pope Leo XIV Calls for Peace and Dialogue January 13, 2026 Get link Facebook X Pinterest Email Other Apps Escalating Violence and Human Rights Concerns in Iran Recent reports from Iran International have brought forward harrowing allegations regarding the Iranian regime’s crackdown on nationwide protests of over a million people. The broadcaster claims that the government—currently aligned strategically with Russia—has been responsible for the deaths of at least 12,000 individuals . After praying the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square Jan. 11, Pope Leo XIV said his thoughts turned "to the situation currently unfolding in the Middle East, especially in Iran and Syria," where government forces clashed with Kurdish fighters in Aleppo. The pope noted that "ongoing tensions continue to claim many lives." "I hope and pray that dialogue and peace may be patiently nurtured in pursuit of the common good of the whole of society," he said. Key Information & Claims The Source: Iran International, an independent Farsi-language outlet, asserts these figures are based …

Iranians deserve to build their own future | The Strategist SHARE Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to LinkedIn Share to Email Print This Post With Images Without Images My parents fled Iran after the revolution as political dissidents, but exile did not end their fight. The struggle for freedom followed them across continents and became part of my childhood. There are understandably mixed feelings about the unfolding situation in Iran and the destruction it has brought. Innocent people always lose, including the more than 150 schoolgirls killed in the conflict. As an Iranian, the hard truth is that I vehemently oppose both the Iranian regime and war. I also oppose other countries being pulled into this conflict, as it will only deepen the suffering across the region. The events of recent weeks were celebrated by many Iranians globally. The death of the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, brought with it a glimmer of hope that this may mark the beginning of the regime’s unravelling. To outsiders, the celebrations may have seemed premature. But his death was symbolic. For 47 years he represented executions; brutal suppression; stonings; the repression of religious and ethnic minor…

Tehran after Khamenei's death: Rallies of mourning but also dancing in ... Women rally as thousands of people gather in Enghelab Square for a pro-government demonstration after Iranian state media confirmed the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday in Tehran. (Majid Saeedi / Getty Images) By Ramin Mostaghim and Nabih Bulos March 1, 2026 1:10 PM PT 2 6 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X LinkedIn Threads Reddit WhatsApp Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here . See more from the L.A. Times in Google Search. Set us as preferred Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death triggered starkly divided reactions in Iran. Many mourned Khamenei’s death. Others rejoiced. ‘I’m laughing and happy for the first time in years,’ one Tehran resident said. While many Iranians celebrated Khamenei’s death, they also feared the regime’s ability to maintain power. TEHRAN — In January 1979, the shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, left a nation that erupted in celebration at the end of his rule, ushering in the era of the Islamic Republic under Ayatollah…

'HELP ON ITS WAY': Trump to Iranian protesters: - USA TODAY POLITICS Donald Trump Add Topic Trump encourages Iranian protesters, says 'HELP IS ON ITS WAY' Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy USA TODAY Jan. 13, 2026 Updated Jan. 14, 2026, 10:27 a.m. ET Hear this story A day after the Trump administration said striking Iran from the air was on the table, President Donald Trump encouraged Iranian protesters to continue the fight and promised that “help is on the way.” “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price," Trump posted on Truth Social. "I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!" Demonstrations in Tehran began in late December when the value of the Iranian rial plunged against the U.S. dollar, deepening an already devastating economic crisis amid soaring inflation. An Iranian official said Jan. 12 that about 2,000 people had been killed in the protests, according to Reuters. It is the first time authorities have acknowledged the high death toll from an intense crackdown amid two weeks of nationwide unrest tha…

The Betrayal of Iran's People - The Atlantic Listen − 1.0 x + Seek 0:00 16:27 O n the night of January 8 , in the low-slung, industrial city of Karaj, just northwest of Tehran, a 17-year-old boy named Sam Afshari was killed by Iran’s security services. He and his friends were peacefully protesting when the streetlights suddenly went dark. Witnesses saw members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basij militia on the beds of trucks charge up behind demonstrators, firing .50-caliber machine guns indiscriminately into the crowd. Sam was shot in the back, just below his kidneys, and brought to a hospital alive for surgery. He had a breathing tube in his mouth when, the family believes, IRGC agents visited the hospital and administered Sam a “finishing shot” to the back of the head. I wish I could tell you that this was the end of the story of his family’s torment. It was not. Sam’s mother and uncle located his remains in the overflowing morgue of Behesht-e Sakineh, Karaj’s primary public cemetery. Sam’s face was mutilated beyond recognition; his mother identified him by a tattoo on his chest that read Mother , and promptly collapsed. The IRGC men running the morgue called her…

Some Iranians rally behind the regime, but public anger runs deep after ... Iranians wave flags and hold up a portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a pro-government religious rally in downtown Tehran on Wednesday. Morteza Nikoubazl / NurPhoto via Getty Images Share Add NBC News to Google Feb. 7, 2026, 5:00 AM EST / Updated Feb. 7, 2026, 9:22 AM EST By Henry Austin A heavy security presence accompanied a crowd gathered in a square in downtown Tehran earlier this week. The streets around them were closed. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. But unlike a month ago, when anti-government protests broke out across the country, this crowd carried pictures of the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , footage taken Wednesday showed. Some waved Iranian flags, children had their faces painted, and loud music played — something that was once outlawed by the country’s hard-line ruling clerics. Technically, the crowds gathered in Valiasr Square were there to celebrate the birth of Imam Mahdi, a prominent figure in Islam, prophesied to appear near the end of times and fill the world with peace…

Iran: Resilience, Defiance, and Willingness to Talk - AGSI Mar 24, 2026 The March 24 edition of the Iran Media Review considers Iranian messaging projecting a mix of defiance and a possible willingness to negotiate with the United States. 5 min read Iran is projecting a mix of resilience, defiance, and – indirectly – a willingness to engage in negotiations with the United States. Although there is still no proof of life for Iran’s new leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, his website – one of the few Iran-registered sites still accessible online – posted a Persian New Year message attributed to him. Telegram channels linked to other official outlets have also circulated Persian New Year messages from the heads of the state’s governing branches as well as a statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force commander, who has not appeared publicly since February 28. At the same time, and possibly in response to international media reports about secret U.S.-Iranian negotiations, an advisor to Iran’s parliamentary speaker dismissed U.S. outreach as insubstantial, asserting that Iran would set the terms of any potential talks. The views represented herein…

Last-minute ban of Iranian opposition rally in Paris - Genocide Watch By John Irish A man holds a flag during a protest by supporters of Iranian opposition group National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), in Paris, France, February 8, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights PARIS, June 19 (Reuters) - French police banned the Paris-based NCRI ​Iranian opposition from holding a rally on Saturday, saying there was a risk of clashes between activists holding opposing views, ‌an argument the group described as "bogus". The sudden ruling came hours after a call between France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi, where they discussed the latest developments to end the Iran war . France's foreign ministry rejected an allegation by the Iranian group, the National Council of Resistance of Iran, that the ban was linked to the ​call. "This allegation is false. The (Iranian) minister did not mention this protest or request its cancellation," the ministry said in a statement sent ​to Reuters. The Paris police said it had made the decision in the light of a particularly tense national and ⁠international context. "There is a…

Iran propaganda push seeks to project unity despite internal divisions ... "It's an attempt to show that ​everything is normal in Iran, we're all united and we don't butcher our own people," said Ali Ansari, professor of modern history at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Reuters 22 May, 2026, 04:35 pm Last modified: 22 May, 2026, 05:20 pm An Iranian couple arrive on a military vehicle during a public wedding ceremony called "Sacrificed couple wedding", in Tehran, Iran, May 18, 2026. Photo: Majid Asgaripour/WANA via Reuters Highlights Propaganda shifts towards nationalist themes to broaden appeal Scepticism about narrative of national unity Iran has enjoyed success with Strait of Hormuz but economy faltering at home Iran's leaders are splashing propaganda posters across Tehran boasting of national unity and victory over a global superpower, just months after crushing protests with mass killings and as war worsens economic pain for their people. Alongside the images of Revolutionary Guardsmen and ​a blockaded Strait of Hormuz, authorities are staging military-themed mass weddings and public gun training sessions in mosques to vaunt a spirit of national resistance. Keep upda…

Bahrain Faces Unrest and Regime Change Threats Amid Regional Tensions ISLAMABAD: Violent clashes have erupted in Bahrain between pro-Iran demonstrators and security forces, fueled by recent Iranian missile and drone strikes on US military installations in the kingdom. The unrest intensified following Iran’s retaliatory attacks on February 28, 2026, targeting the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama and other sites, including radar systems and energy infrastructure. Protesters, largely from the Shia-majority population, have taken to the streets in several cities and villages, chanting slogans in solidarity with Iran and condemning the Bahraini government’s support for US and Israeli actions in the ongoing regional conflict. Reports from multiple sources indicate that demonstrations began hours after the confirmed assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by US and Israeli forces, triggering angry but initially peaceful marches. Footage circulating on social media shows crowds marching through narrow streets, with some areas witnessing confrontations involving tear gas, arrests, and alleged use of Molotov cocktails by protesters. Bahraini authorities hav…

"Exercising inalienable right to self-defence": Iran's Acting Defence ... Tehran [Iran], March 30 (ANI): Iran's Acting Defence Minister Brigadier General Seyyed Majid Ibn Reza held a key telephone conversation with Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler amid the ongoing West Asia conflict involving the United States and Israel, according to Iranian state media Press TV. During the call on Sunday evening, General Reza strongly condemned the "brutal military aggression" against Iran, calling it a clear violation of international law and fundamental principles of the global system, according to Press TV. He stressed that Iran is acting within its legitimate and "inalienable" right to self-defence. He said, " Iran is exercising its legitimate and inalienable right to self-defence, responding decisively to the aggressors." According to Press TV, Turkish Defence Minister Guler, for his part, echoed concerns over the situation, describing the attacks on Iran as a "serious violation of international law." According to Press TV, he also conveyed Ankara's willingness to play an active role in de-escalation efforts. Guler expressed Turkey's readiness to contribute to restoring regional sec…

Iranian authorities signal intensified crackdown as unrest grows Iran's authorities indicated on Saturday they could intensify their crackdown on the biggest anti-government demonstrations in years, with the Revolutionary Guards blaming unrest on terrorists and vowing to safeguard the governing system. U.S. PresidentDonald Trump, who has repeatedly threatened to intervene in recent days, posted on social media on Saturday: "Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!" There were fresh reports of violence across Iran, although an internet blackout made it difficult to assess the full extent of unrest. After nightfall on Saturday, new videos posted online purported to show fresh protests in a number of neighbourhoods in the capital Tehran and several cities, including Rasht in the north, Tabriz in the northwest and Shiraz and Kerman in the south. Reuters could not immediately verify the latest videos. The exiled son of Iran's last shah, who has emerged as a prominent voice in the fragmented opposition, made his strongest call yet for the protests to broaden into a revolt to topple the clerical rulers. State media said a municipal build…

Massive Crowds Take To Streets, Back Iranian Operation Against US Bases ... Massive Crowds Take To Streets, Back Iranian Operation Against US Bases In Bahrain The pro-Iran protesters are in the street seeking to oust American-Israeli military bases from their country, triggering another local uprising in the gulf nation. Bahrain Pro-Iran protest Edited by Fazal Rahman Chembulangad Updated: Mar 01, 2026, 3:20 pm Massive Crowd Takes To Streets, Backs Iranian Operation Against US Bases In Bahrain Manama, Bahrain: Reminding the jasmine revolution, a massive crowd, including Shiites who represent the majority of the population of Bahrain, have taken to the streets in support of Iranian military operations in response to the targeting of US bases in Bahrain. The pro-Iran protesters are in the street seeking to oust American-Israeli military bases from their country, triggering another local uprising in the gulf nation. Read Also: Pro-Iran Protesters In Iraq, Pakistan Attempt To Storm US Embassies: Report Iran started the military strikes against the US bases across the gulf nations after American-Israel combined force carried out offensives across Iranian cities. Read Also: Large Pro-G…

Video shows security forces firing tear gas at protesters as Iran ... Add NBC News to Google Widespread protests escalate in Iran as economy spirals 01:16 Get more news Live on Share Add NBC News to Google Jan. 6, 2026, 9:55 PM EST / Updated Jan. 7, 2026, 1:40 PM EST By Babak Dehghanpisheh and Henry Austin Protesters in Iran defied authorities Tuesday, hitting the streets in the capital, Tehran, and smaller cities to chant anti-government slogans amid an ongoing violent crackdown that one human rights group says has left at least 36 dead. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. The protests began last week with economic grievances as the Iranian currency, the rial, tanked. They quickly turned political, with demonstrators chanting slogans against the ruling clergy. The rial dropped to a record low of 1.46 million against the dollar Tuesday. If it continues to drop, it is unlikely that the protests will stop anytime soon, analysts say. HRANA, a network of rights activists, noted in a report Tuesday that 36 people have been killed since the demonstrations began 10 days ago — 34 protesters and two members of the security fo…

Trump wants Iranians to 'take back their country' from the regime. Can ... As US and Israeli warplanes and missiles began attacking Iran’s military and security infrastructure and senior leaders, both US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for the Iranian people to seize the opportunity to rise up and overthrow the regime. Can a mass uprising bring the Islamic Republic down, especially after the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials, and after days or weeks of sustained attacks destroy much of the regime’s security and intelligence apparatus? On the surface, there would appear reason for optimism. Opposition to the clerical regime in Tehran has been growing for almost a decade. Massive protests erupted in 2017 and 2019 over poor economic conditions but quickly turned into calls by many protesters for the downfall of the government. And the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement, which roiled the country for months in 2022 and 2023 over the security forces’ killing of a young Kurdish woman for not wearing the hijab, featured demands to replace the Islamic Republic with a democratic government committed to protecting basic fre…

Pezeshkian Faces Fierce Attacks as Crises Fuel Factional Warfare in ... Home Iranian Regime Infighting Pezeshkian Faces Fierce Attacks as Crises Fuel Factional Warfare in Tehran Iranian Regime Infighting Pezeshkian Faces Fierce Attacks as Crises Fuel Factional Warfare in Tehran Written by Dr. Masumeh Bolurchi 12th August 2025 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Reddit Email Print Masoud Pezeshkian, the Iranian regime’s president, surrounded by state-affiliated reporters amid mounting political attacks from rival factions Two-minute read The Iranian regime’s president Masoud Pezeshkian is under mounting fire from rival factions, with senior regime media, IRGC-linked outlets, and political figures openly questioning his competence and loyalty after recent foreign policy remarks. The unusually sharp attacks reflect a leadership consumed by internal mistrust as Tehran grapples with simultaneous domestic unrest, regional losses, and international pressure—an environment where even small deviations from the Supreme Leader’s line are treated as threats to the regime’s survival. The latest disputes erupted after Masoud Pezeshkian’s recent comments on the Zangezur Corridor agreement betwee…

Iran Propaganda Push Seeks To Project Unity Despite Internal Divisions Society Human Rights News Iran Protests Iran Protests [2026] People ride motorcycles near a billboard featuring an image of Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, Iran, May 5, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS By Parisa Hafezi and Angus McDowall DUBAI, May 21 (Reuters) – Iran ‘s leaders are splashing propaganda posters across Tehran boasting of national unity and victory over a global superpower, just months after crushing protests with mass killings and as war worsens economic pain for their people. Islamic Republic Executed At Least 2,159 People Last Year, Amnesty Reports Alongside the images of Revolutionary Guardsmen and a blockaded Strait of Hormuz, authorities are staging military-themed mass weddings and public gun training sessions in mosques to vaunt a spirit of national resistance. Unlike the revolutionary religious messages of the past, today’s propaganda emphasises nationalist themes aimed beyond a hardline support base. “The old ideology of the Islamic Republic no longer really had much traction within the society. And therefore there was a need to draw on other elements of Iran ia…

A timeline of the protests and crackdown in Iran | AP News In this photo obtained by The Associated Press, Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (UGC via AP) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Demonstrations broke out inIranon Dec. 28 and spread nationwide as protesters vent their increasing discontent over the Islamic Republic’s faltering economy and the collapse of its currency. While the initial focus had been on issues like spikes in the prices of food staples and the country’s staggering annual inflation rate, protesters began chanting anti-government statements and directly challenging Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran shut down the internet Jan. 8 and embarked on a major crackdown, reportedly killing thousands of people. The U.S. then moved an aircraft carrier into the Mideast and threatened to attack Iran, sparking new diplomatic negotiations. Here is how the protests and the geopolitical tensions developed: Dec. 28:Protests break outin two major markets in downtown Tehran, after the Iranian rial plunged to 1.42 million to the U.S. dollar, arecord low, compounding inflationary pressure and pushing up the prices of fo…

Associated Press Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved A woman waves an Iranian flag during a pro-government campaign as a portrait of the slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, is displayed at right, in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) DUBAI– Iran’s top diplomat was quoted as saying Tuesday that the end of the Iran war included the end of Israel’s occupation of Lebanon. Iranian state television quoted Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi making the comment to foreign diplomats in a briefing. It did not air the remarks, but put them in an onscreen graphic. Recommended Videos “The end of the war in Lebanon is an inseparable part of complete end of the war,” Araghchi was quoted as saying. "Without the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories they occupied during this war, the war has not fully come to an end.” He said further Israeli attacks on Lebanon “will be considered by us a violation of the Memorandum of Understanding.” It remains unclear what is in the interim agreement as it has yet to be released publicly in full. Copyright 2026 The Associated Pre…

The Iranian Revolution: The Uprooting of a Monarchy and the Birth of an ... Reading time: Welcome to your central resource for understanding the Iranian Revolution of 1979, a seismic event that not only reshaped Iran but also sent shockwaves across the Middle East and the wider world. The revolution marked the end of a 2,500-year-old monarchy and the birth of a unique and enduringIslamic Republic. This page serves as your starting point, a helpful guide to navigate the deep-seated causes, the tumultuous course, and the complex and contested legacy of this transformative period. Below you will find a curated selection of articles from our blog, each offering a unique lens through which to explore this critical chapter in modern history. The Iranian Revolution was a multifaceted movement that brought together a diverse coalition of Iranians—from secular intellectuals and students to bazaar merchants and, most decisively, the Shiʼa clergy—to overthrow the U.S.-backed monarchy of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. It was a period of intense social and political turmoil, beginning with widespread demonstrations in January 1978 and culminating in the establishment of the Islamic Republic in …

'Wait for death:' Inside Iran's psychological war against its enemies An Iranian man carrying a national flag participates in a pro-government rally in downtown Tehran, Iran, on April 6, 2026. Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto/Getty Images The Middle East Digital security See all topics Facebook Tweet Email Link Threads Link Copied! Follow “You must report immediately in case of any security incident,” read a text message sent to phones in the United Arab Emirates from “MOI” during the Iran war. But the country’s Ministry of Interior never sent such an alert. It later cautioned residents against acting on the “fake” message. In a country that bore the brunt of Iranian attacks as Tehran retaliated against Israel and the United States, authorities say the nation also faced barrages of a more insidious nature. The UAE had already noticed a sharp spike in cyberattacks weeks before the war, Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, the head of cybersecurity for the UAE Government, told state media last month. In the early days of the war, he said, cyber-attacks from Iranian proxies grew to 500,000 a day, mostly targeting critical infrastructure “After the (war began) the internet was cut (in Iran) yet their proxie…

Iran's real crisis: environmental decay wrought by official neglect Located near Saint Sarkis Armenian Church in downtown Tehran, the Saint Mary (Maryam-e Moghaddas) station features large reliefs of Jesus and Mary. “The station was built to honor Saint Mary and to demonstrate the coexistence of divine religions in Tehran,” Mayor Alireza Zakani posted on X earlier this week. Conservative media welcomed the move as proof of Iran’s tolerance. “Respect in Iran for religious and cultural diversity is unparalleled, yet these matters receive no coverage in Western media!” wrote hardline commentator Ehsan Movahedian on X. The Revolutionary Guards-linked Fars News Agency claimed that “foreign social media users, recalling grim portrayals of Iran and the lives of its minorities in mainstream media, have described such narratives as part of a Western agenda with anti-Iranian motives.” Others were less impressed. Journalist Azadeh Mokhtari mocked municipality-run daily Hamshahri, which splashed ‘Global Reactions to Saint Mary Metro’ on its Wednesday front page. “Global reaction?” Mokhtary quipped on X, “their jaws must have dropped for sure that you built one metro line. And your even…

Trump tells Iranian protesters 'help is on its way' | AP News Trump says he’s canceled talks with Iranian officials amid their protest crackdown and promises help to protesters in the country after human rights monitors say that the death toll spiked to 2,000. President Donald Trump waves after arriving on Air Force One from Florida, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) In this photo obtained by The Associated Press, Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (UGC via AP) In this photo obtained by The Associated Press, Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (UGC via AP) ▶Follow live updates on the protests in Iran WASHINGTON (AP) —President Donald Trumpwas consulting with his national security team Tuesday about next steps with Iran as he looked to get a better understanding of the number of Iranian citizens who have been killed and arrested in more than two weeks of unrest throughout the country. Trump said he believes that the killing is “significant” and that his administration would “act accordingly.” He added that he believed the Iranian gove…

Iran Army Chief Threatens Preemptive Attack Over 'Rhetoric ... - HuffPost LOADING ERROR LOADING DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s army chief threatened preemptive military action Wednesday over the “rhetoric” targeting the Islamic Republic, likely referring to U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning that if Tehran “violently kills peaceful protesters,” America “will come to their rescue.” The comments by Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami come as Iran tries to respond to what it sees as a dual threat posed by Israel and the United States, as well as the protests sparked by its economic woes that have grown into a direct challenge to its theocracy. Advertisement Seeking to halt the anger, Iran’s government began Wednesday paying the equivalent of $7 a month to subsidize rising costs for dinner-table essentials like rice, meat and pastas. Shopkeepers warn prices for items as basic as cooking oil likely will triple under pressure from the collapse of Iran’s rial currency and the end of a preferential subsidized dollar-rial exchange rate for importers and manufacturers — likely fueling further popular anger. “More than a week of protests in Iran reflects not only worsening economic condition…

Iran escalates crackdown on dissent as arrests, executions and threats ... Iranians and observers describe what they say is a continued crackdown in Iran. LONDON -- Even as a fragile two-week ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. holds– sparing about 90 million Iranians from the immediate threat of bombardment–many Iranians at home and abroad say they still face an intensifying wave of threats from the Islamic Republic regimeas it continuescrackingdown on dissent. The leaders of the Iranian regime have escalated measures to silence any kind of protests and criticisms against their policies both inside the country and across its diaspora, Iranians and observers inside the country and abroad told ABC News. Shiva, a London-based Iranian journalist, says she has received direct threats from Iranian security forces, been labelled a “traitor”and had her assets in Iran confiscated.Shiva and other Iranians who spoke with ABC News in recent daysasked not to be identified bytheirreal names because of security concerns. She is one of more than 400 Iranian journalists and artists abroad whose assets in Iran have been seized by the Islamic Republic for allegedly supporting what authorities d…

Iranians demonstrate across Australia as violent regime murders anti ... Iranian Australians have demonstrated across the nation after violence erupted in the streets across Iran as the vicious regime gunned down more than a dozen anti-government protesters. Iranian Australians have demonstrated across the nation after civil unrest erupted in the streets across Iran. In recent days, Iran has seen the most widespread nationwide protests in the history of the Islamic Republic, sparked when merchants in the capital of Tehran shuttered their stores in response to a major currency crash on December 29. The demonstrations have been met with violence as the Iranian regime under Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei gunned down and murdered at least 15 protesters. Small-scaledemonstrations rapidly became a widespread revoltagainst the authoritarian Islamic regime, which protesters accuse of corruption and the mismanagement of the economy and the nation’s resources. Iran Novin party member Hesam Orouji, a spokesperson for Australian minorities advocacy organisation, Minority Impact, told SkyNews.com.au the past week and the days that follow will be the “most critical and decisive” in…

Iran in 2026 Explained: Protests, Government Crackdown, U.S. Talks, and ... In late 2025 and into early 2026, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been at the center of one of the most complex and consequential domestic crises in its modern history. For international correspondents, the situation combines entrenched political challenges, economic hardship, widespread public dissent, violent state response, regional security risks, and delicate diplomacy with global powers. Understanding this moment in Iran requires attention to both unfolding events on the ground and the structural forces shaping them. The crisis began in late December 2025 as demonstrations erupted in multiple cities across Iran. The initial spark was a deepening economic downturn, with inflation soaring, food prices rising precipitously, and the Iranian rial losing value rapidly. These economic pressures were compounded by long-standing grievances over political repression, limited personal freedoms, and disillusionment with the ruling elite’s response to public needs. What began as a protest over economic hardship soon evolved into broader demands for political change and greater accountability from the government.…

Iran commemorates 1979 revolution as nation is roiled by anger over ... A woman holds a poster of the late commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard expeditionary Quds Force, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, as she stands on a banner containing an image of the Israeli flag. (Vahid Salemi / Associated Press) By Jon Gambrell Feb. 11, 2026 10:45 AM PT 7 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X LinkedIn Threads Reddit WhatsApp Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here . Iran marked its 47th revolution anniversary Wednesday showing a split reality: State TV broadcast massive pro-government rallies amid residents shouting anti-regime slogans. The crackdown on recent protests killed thousands and detained tens of thousands, yet President Pezeshkian said Iran remains ready for nuclear negotiations. The Trump administration stepped up military pressure, stationing the USS Abraham Lincoln in the region and considering deployment of a second aircraft carrier. DUBAI — Iran marked the 47th anniversary of its 1979 Islamic Revolution on Wednesday as the country’s theocra…

Iran Protests: Massive Unrest Revives Lion-Sun Flag Against Khamenei ... Iran's ongoing regime change protests have entered into their second week, with demonstrators flooding streets nationwide to challenge theocratic rule. Protesters revive the pre-1979 Lion and Sun flag, symbolising hopes for a return to ancient Persian monarchy and national pride over Ayatollah Khamenei's theocracy. Trending Photos Massive anti-regime protests continue across Iran enter second week amid blackouts and clashes. The protest spans all 31 provinces and nearly 285 locations in more than 80 cities, with crowds in Tehran chanting the slogan “Death to Khamenei” and waving the pre-1979 Lion and Sun flags. The recent protest has erupted since early January 2026, with demonstrators blocking highways, torching regime buildings, and defying internet blackouts, with exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi urging persistence against the Islamic Republic’s forces firing live rounds on unarmed crowds, including children, primarily in Tehran and Mashhad,  which has become the epicenter of the ongoing protests. While the Supreme leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has repeatedly branded protesters as 'vandals,' 't…

The Unique Resilience of Iran's Theocracy - Max J. Prowant On January 8, a general of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) appeared on state television with a message for Iranians: “Hold onto your children.” After two-weeks of country-wide protests, the regime was issuing one final warning disguised as a plea to parents to bring their sons and daughters off the streets. That night, it would begin the bloodiest crackdown against its civilians since coming to power in 1979, killing anywhere from 3,000 to 36,000 in the days to come. It is a sign of how vulnerable the regime feels that it resorted to such violence. Its leaders are right to be nervous. Economically, the country is in shambles, with the value of its currency dropping to record lows (1,445,000 rials to the dollar in December ). Strategically, it suffered the indignity of being bombed by both Israel and the United States last summer while its regional proxy network collapsed. Socially, this was the sixth mass protest in a decade and saw nearly all segments of society join in (including the more conservative merchant class). After five decades, the mullahs have little to show for themselves but hyperinflation, stra…

Iran's 'Axis of Resistance': The proxy forces shaping Mideast conflicts Houthi fighters, rallying in Sanaa, Yemen, march in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in 2024. (Associated Press) By Patrick J. McDonnell Foreign Correspondent March 1, 2026 3:51 PM PT 35 8 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X LinkedIn Threads Reddit WhatsApp Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here . See more from the L.A. Times in Google Search. Set us as preferred Iran has built a far-reaching network of allied militias and political movements — from Lebanon and Gaza to Iraq and Yemen. Known collectively as part of an ‘Axis of Resistance,’ the militias have played central roles attacks on Western and Israeli targets. President Trump cited Iran’s proxies when announcing the joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran. In his announcement unveiling U.S. attacks on Iran, President Trump assailed the Islamic Republic’s “proxies” in the region. “From Lebanon to Yemen and Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained and funded terrorist militias that have soaked the earth w…