Global News Podcast – Iran Protesters Defy Crackdown Warning

Host: Keith Adams, BBC World Service
Date: January 10, 2026

Overview

This episode centers on the escalating protests in Iran despite harsh government crackdowns and threats. It dives into the complexity of the ongoing crisis, global reactions—especially from the U.S.—and features first-hand perspectives from Iranians both within and outside the country. Alongside, it reports on a controversial police shooting in Minneapolis, a high-profile Beckham family feud, explores whether golf is truly a sport, and marks the 10th anniversary of David Bowie’s death.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Iran Protests in the Face of Crackdown

• Widespread Protests:
  Protests enter their 13th consecutive night, evolving from economic to political and anti-government demonstrations.
  • "Images from a nation in turmoil. Protesters are out again en masse... Whole families, in some cases driven by anger."
    — Caroline Hawley (03:05)
• Government Response:
  Authorities intensify efforts to control dissent, including lethal crackdowns and severe communication blackouts.
  • "Reports the security forces have intensified a lethal crackdown. Hospitals are treating dozens of protesters with bullet wounds and hundreds shot in the eye with pellets.”
    — Caroline Hawley (04:55)
• Counterdemonstrations:
  Regime supporters stage pro-government rallies, supporting the Ayatollah and warning against perceived foreign meddling.
  • "Today, counter demonstrations were staged by the authorities... chanting here that they're at the service of Ayatollah Khamenei."
    — Caroline Hawley (04:12)
• Role of Exiled Opposition:
  Reza Pahlavi, son of the last Shah, calls for unity against the regime from abroad.
  • "Let us at this time work hand in hand to deal the final blow to the regime, achieve freedom and rebuild our country."
    — Reza Pahlavi (04:44)

2. International Dynamics and U.S. Involvement

• President Trump’s Stance:
  U.S. President Trump issues stern warnings to Iran, threatening military action if protesters are killed.
  • "Trump warns Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that the U.S. will start shooting if demonstrators are targeted..."
    — Keith Adams (01:07)
  • "We'll start shooting too, he said, throwing his support behind those taken to the streets."
    — Keith Adams (05:20)
• Mixed Perception Among Iranians:
  The ambiguous role of Trump is discussed: friend or foe?
  • "He's been both. And that is the unpredictability of President Trump... judged not by what you say, but what you do."
    — Lys Doucet (06:05)

3. Regime’s Fragility & Opposition Figures

• Divisiveness of Reza Pahlavi:
  His activism is significant but controversial, due to past support for Israel and division within the opposition.
  • "Reza Pahlavi... is regarded as a very divisive figure in the opposition."
    — Lys Doucet (07:29)
• Future Uncertainty:
  The fate of the protests remains unpredictable.
  • "The distance between the crisis to a possible collapse to even major cracks in the ruling establishment is highly unpredictable and... perilous."
    — Lys Doucet (09:09)

[Important Segment: Iran Protests Deep Dive – 03:05–09:38]

4. Personal Stories from Iranians

• Roya Pirai’s Loss:
  Speaks about her mother’s death in the 2022 protests and the risks she faced after public mourning.
  • "I took a picture that went viral. I shaved my hair and I was standing on my mother's graveside..."
    — Roya Pirai (19:01)
• Diaspora Anxiety:
  Iranians abroad, like Mahsa Ali Madani, express fear and hope amid the blackout and protest violence.
  • "It's this very strange time. You're watching very inspirational footage... There's this sense of cautious hope, but at the same time... anxiety and fear."
    — Mahsa Ali Madani (19:22)

[Important Segment: Iranian Voices Abroad – 18:12–20:02]

5. Other Major Topics

U.S. Immigration Shooting in Minneapolis

• Contentious Shooting:
  Newly released video fuels debate after an ICE agent fatally shoots Renee Goode. Officials disagree on the threat level posed.
  • "Many of you have been told this law enforcement officer... murdered an innocent woman. The reality is that his life was endangered and he fired in self-defence. That’s not a straightforward claim to make."
    — Paul Adams (11:03)
• Aftermath:
  Community outrage continues, with unresolved narratives and a memorial for Goode.
  • "Renee Goode's death seems destined to remain the subject of fierce partisan disagreement."
    — Paul Adams (12:30)

[Important Segment: Minneapolis Shooting – 10:24–12:34]

Beckham Family Feud

• Escalating Tensions:
  Brooklyn Beckham reportedly instructs his parents to contact him and wife Nicola only through lawyers, with reports tracing issues to a family dinner and wedding dress choices.
  • "Brooklyn has slapped a cease and desist letter on his parents..."
    — Wendy Urquhart (13:07)
  • "Every single thing they do or say or post on social media is scrutinized to the nth degree."
    — Wendy Urquhart (14:35)

[Important Segment: Beckham Family – 13:07–15:12]

Is Golf a Sport?

• Debate:
  Arguments for (physical effort and skill) and against (recreational nature) golf as a sport.
  • "Golf is a lot more sport intensive than people give it credit for... you burn between 12 and 1600 calories..."
    — Jason Fallon (24:36)
• Memorable Quote:
  "It’s fun, it’s recreation, but I don’t think it’s exercise."
  — Harvey Spivak, voiced by BBC (24:19)

[Important Segment: Golf Debate – 24:19–25:59]

David Bowie’s Legacy

• Home Opens to Public:
  The house where Bowie wrote “Space Oddity” will open, offering insight into his formative years.
  • "It’s a really magical moment for people to go into his bedroom, tiny bedroom, see where he really lived from age 8 to 20..."
    — Nicholas Stacey (26:22)
• Inspiration:
  • "He was just an ordinary boy in a very modest house, but he had these aspirations and he worked incredibly hard..."
    — Nicholas Stacey (27:13)

[Important Segment: Bowie Anniversary – 25:59–27:41]

6. Light Feature: The Mentalist, Oz Perlman

• Memory and Prediction Skills:
  Demonstrates how psychological techniques can be used to “read minds,” astonishing interviewers with a name-guessing trick live on air.
  • "I’m an honest liar, so to speak... Everything I’m doing is learnable, based in science, and can be taught to others."
    — Oz Perlman (20:45)
  • "You are correct.... It is the letter ‘L’.... Ellen... Yes."
    — Oz Perlman & Keith Adams (23:10–23:31)

[Memorable Moment: Mentalist Demonstration – 20:45–23:32]

Notable Quotes

• "Protesters... driven by anger, and after decades of repressive theocratic rule, determined to try to bring change."
  — Caroline Hawley (03:05)
• "We'll start shooting too, he said, throwing his support behind those taken to the streets."
  — Keith Adams (05:20)
• "Iranians are desperate for change, and perhaps they're latching on whatever seems to symbolize that change."
  — Lys Doucet (07:29)
• "It’s hard to say where these will go, but what is undeniable is this is a crisis which is of unprecedented proportions."
  — Lys Doucet (09:09)
• "I’m standing on my mother's graveside and after that photo, my family told me it's better not to remain."
  — Roya Pirai (19:06)
• "We had whistles, they had guns. Renee Goode's death seems destined to remain the subject of fierce partisan disagreement."
  — Paul Adams (12:30)
• "He was just an ordinary boy in a very modest house, but he had these aspirations and he worked incredibly hard..."
  — Nicholas Stacey (27:13)
• "Golf is a lot more sport intensive than people give it credit for... you burn between 12 and 1600 calories..."
  — Jason Fallon (24:36)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Iran Protest Background & Crackdown: 03:05–09:38
• Iranian Diaspora Testimonies: 18:12–20:02
• Minneapolis Police Shooting: 10:24–12:34
• Beckham Family Feud: 13:07–15:12
• Oz Perlman Mentalist Demonstration: 20:45–23:32
• Golf as a Sport Debate: 24:19–25:59
• David Bowie Home / Anniversary: 25:59–27:41

This episode provides a sweeping, on-the-ground look at Iran’s current upheaval, powerful personal stories of hope and grief, and a glance at other news and cultural moments, all delivered with the BBC’s signature clarity and depth.