Podcast Summary: Will these Iran protests bring the government down?
Podcast: Post Reports (The Washington Post)
Host: Elahe Izadi
Guest: Yeganeh Torbati, Iran Correspondent
Date: January 12, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode delves into the most significant anti-government protests in Iran in nearly two decades, exploring their origins, scale, the government's violent response, and whether these demonstrations could signal the end of the Islamic Republic. Special guest Yeganeh Torbati brings on-the-ground insight, despite a near-total communications blackout in Iran. The episode also examines potential U.S. involvement, particularly President Donald Trump’s threats of intervention, and considers Iran's future.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Current Situation: A Mass Movement Under Blackout
- Massive demonstrations: People across Iran—including shopkeepers, students, and workers—are protesting, risking their lives in the face of a brutal government crackdown.
- Communications blackout: Since Thursday night, the government has shut down almost all external communications, severely limiting verifiable information coming out of Iran (02:26).
- Casualties mounting: Human rights groups report hundreds killed in recent days, mainly from gunshot wounds by security forces (03:00). There are reports of overflowing morgues and hospitals (03:19).
- Video evidence: Persian-language news outlets have been sharing videos of families searching for bodies in morgues and hospitals (03:19).
- Lack of clear casualty figures: The full extent of violence and repression remains unconfirmed due to the blackout (03:31).
“All we’re sort of left with is this trickle of information that does manage to get out…from what we can tell, hundreds of protesters have been killed by security forces over the last few days.”
— Yeganeh Torbati (02:26)
The Spark and Spread of the Protests
When and Why Did Protests Begin?
- Economic collapse: Protests began December 28 after the Iranian rial collapsed dramatically, sparking immediate unrest among merchants—especially those selling imported goods—who could no longer operate profitably (04:58).
- Wider discontent: What began as an economic protest quickly turned political, with demands escalating for a fundamental system change within 24-48 hours (07:39).
- Significant chants: Protesters use slogans like “Death to the dictator” (referring to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) and calls for a return to monarchy, showing a spectrum of political desires (07:39).
“The rial sort of functions as a bell for Iranians' optimism for the future, effectively.”
— Yeganeh Torbati (05:18)
Iran's System of Governance: Why the Discontent?
Brief Explainer on Iran’s Political Structure (08:48):
- Hybrid system: Iran blends theocratic and republican elements. Elections exist for some offices, but candidates are tightly screened by a council loyal to the supreme leader.
- Supreme power: Ultimate authority is held by the Supreme Leader (currently Ali Khamenei since 1989); the military (notably the Revolutionary Guards) and key national bodies answer to him.
- Everyday impact: International isolation, economic sanctions, perennial shortages (water, power), and repressive social controls fuel widespread public discontent (10:14).
“A lot of Iranians say that they just want a normal life. They just want to be able to travel on their passports...and not be suspected of, you know, terrorism.”
— Yeganeh Torbati (11:27)
Comparison to Previous Protests
What’s Different This Time? (13:41):
- Sheer size & reach: Largest demonstrations in 15+ years; more widespread across social/economic groups and provinces.
- Broader grievance: Previous protests were often sparked by specific policies (e.g., gas price hikes), but now the issues are more deeply systemic—economic, political, and social freedoms (14:38).
- Women, Life, Freedom: References made to the 2022 Women Life Freedom movement as a sign of growing demands for social and civil liberties (12:33).
- Government repression: Past responses have included violent crackdowns, mass arrests, and rapid executions after unfair trials (15:49).
“People feel quite suffocated at times by the Islamic nature of the Islamic Republic.”
— Yeganeh Torbati (13:41)
Why Do People Keep Protesting?
- Despite the government’s record of violent suppression (from 1999 student protests through the 2022 Women Life Freedom movement), Iranians continue risking death and arrest to express dissent.
- Discontent has deepened and spread to new sectors of society (18:02).
“There’s a chance that I could die, and that’s fine. Like, what’s the point of this? I can’t live like this anymore.”
— Yeganeh Torbati relays a protester’s sentiment (18:02)
The U.S. Factor — Trump’s Response (22:19)
President Trump’s Statements & Policy:
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Trump has threatened severe retaliation if Iran kills more protesters:
“If they do that, we’re going to hit them very hard. We’re going to hit them hard. We’re ready to do it.”
— President Donald Trump (22:43) -
State Department and U.S. administration express vocal support for the protesters.
-
The administration is considering military options, though no clear path is decided yet (22:49).
-
Trump's Iran policy is described as contradictory: at times hawkish (military strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites alongside Israel, 24:21), at other times open to negotiation.
“He’s been hawkish at times, he’s been open to negotiations at others.”
— Yeganeh Torbati (24:40)
- Notably, the Trump administration also cut funding for internet-freedom services to Iran, raising questions about consistency.
How Is the Islamic Republic Responding? (25:15)
- Iranian officials vow retaliation to U.S. threats and intensify repression.
- Routinely accuse protesters of being foreign agents, likening them to ISIS, and refuse negotiation with them.
- The government uses the “outside agitator” narrative to justify suppression and to motivate security forces (25:29).
“They’ve been calling protesters terrorists. They’ve been likening their tactics to ISIS. And so you don’t negotiate with terrorists, you don’t compromise with them.”
— Yeganeh Torbati (25:29)
What’s Next? Is This the End for the Islamic Republic? (26:58)
Expert Views:
- Many revolution scholars believe Iran is closer to a revolutionary moment than at any point since 1979 (27:19).
- The regime is especially vulnerable:
- Its economy is in crisis.
- Internationally isolated, with major allies lost or weakened (28:26).
- Yet, the lack of a unified, organized opposition hampers chances for immediate regime change (29:10).
- Key opposition: Former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has the highest name recognition but represents only one possible direction.
“The person with the most name recognition…is the former Crown Prince, Reza Pahlavi…he has said that he wants to sort of be a transitional figure that leads Iran to being a secular democracy.”
— Yeganeh Torbati (30:48)
Final Observations & Questions to Watch (31:44)
- Journalistic priorities: Once communications are restored, it’s critical to assess the full extent of the repression and see if public protests survive the government’s violent response.
- Future demonstration: Continuation of protests, despite killings and arrests, would signal the movement's durability.
“If people continue to go out in spite of that and continue to risk their lives, I think that will tell us something about how this protest movement…isn’t going to be repressed so easily.”
— Yeganeh Torbati (31:44)
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- “All we’re sort of left with is this trickle of information…hundreds of protesters have been killed by security forces over the last few days.” — Yeganeh Torbati (02:26)
- “The rial sort of functions as a bell for Iranians' optimism for the future, effectively.” — Yeganeh Torbati (05:18)
- “People feel quite suffocated at times by the Islamic nature of the Islamic Republic.” — Yeganeh Torbati (13:41)
- “He’s been hawkish at times, he’s been open to negotiations at others.” — Yeganeh Torbati (24:40)
- “There’s a chance that I could die, and that’s fine. Like, what’s the point of this? I can’t live like this anymore.” — Protester (reported by Yeganeh Torbati, 18:02)
- “The person with the most name recognition…is the former Crown Prince, Reza Pahlavi…he wants to be a transitional figure.” — Yeganeh Torbati (30:48)
Segment Guide (Approximate Timestamps)
- 00:02–04:46: Current crisis and blackout, scale of repression
- 04:46–08:18: Origins and spread of protests, initial economic drivers
- 08:18–13:41: Iran’s political system; deeper causes for discontent
- 13:41–19:38: Previous protests, government’s historical response, why people persevere
- 22:19–26:58: U.S. response (Trump’s threats, policy ambiguity), Iranian regime’s counter-narratives
- 26:58–31:44: Prospects for regime change, opposition figures, looking ahead
Tone & Language
The conversation is urgent, clear, and analytical, with personal anecdotes and direct quotations capturing the harrowing mood of Iranians amid state violence. The reporting is empathetic toward protestors but maintains a journalistic rigor in assessing facts and uncertainties.
Conclusion
This episode provides a comprehensive look at the largest Iranian protests in years, their underlying causes, and the regime’s repressive response—framed by both domestic and international dynamics. It grapples with the big question: are we witnessing the beginning of the end for the Islamic Republic? The answer remains open, but the current moment is marked by unprecedented risk and uncertainty on all sides.