Inside Iran’s Unrest: Politics, Economy, and the Road Ahead

Today we turn our focus to Iran at a moment of intense uncertainty. Over the past year, the country has witnessed another major wave of protests—driven by deep social grievances, political frustration, and an economic situation that continues to deteriorate. The government’s response has been marked by severe repression, while regional tensions and new international sanctions have heightened pressure on the Islamic Republic. In today’s conversation, we’ll take a closer look at what’s happening inside Iran: the roots of the current uprising, the role of the political leadership, the impact of the economic crisis, and the landscape of opposition figures abroad. We’ll also explore how the regime’s crackdown fits into its broader survival strategy, and what Iran’s trajectory might look like in the months ahead. Our guest is Clément Therme, an alumnus of the Geneva Graduate Institute and a lecturer at the University of Montpellier.