After a fortnight of street demonstrations and protests against inflation and poor government, events in Iran have reached a decisive point for the clerical regime’s survival. Its main options are a continuation of brutal repression plus retrenchment or reform initiatives at home alongside an international nuclear deal with the United States and other powers. The regime lacks the ability to fund reforms unless it shows a readiness to negotiate a relaxation of the sanctions crippling its economy. The geographical range of these protests and their social width indicate the severe challenge they pose to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s ruling regime. The protests are strong in provincial towns all over Iran and are not restricted to the largest urban centres.

Source: The Irish Times January 11, 2026 20:35 UTC