Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran, Iran on January 9, 2026. Over the past several weeks, US President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened to attack Iran if the regime used violence against protesters. Even if Tehran and Washington try to revive diplomacy, Iran would be doing so from its weakest position yet. “The most likely scenario is that there is another variation of the regime, through elements from within the same regime,” Parsi said. Another potential concern is whether the potential fall of the regime will usher the collapse of Iran as a nation.

Source: Egypt Independent January 17, 2026 15:12 UTC