Podcast Summary: The Watch Floor with Sarah Adams
Episode: What The Media Isn’t Telling You About Iran
Date: January 13, 2026
Host: Sarah Adams
Overview
In this gripping episode, former CIA Targeter Sarah Adams dives into the real story behind Iran's ongoing protests, dissecting what both U.S. policymakers and mainstream media often gloss over or misrepresent. Adams explores the roots of Iran's recurring unrest, the security-state nature of the Islamic Republic, the brutal tools of repression, and why each protest has become more dangerous for ordinary Iranians. She also critiques the West's (especially the U.S.) inconsistent and often ineffectual responses, and spotlights how the current 2025-2026 protest wave marks a significant escalation, both in resistance and regime violence.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Understanding the Iranian Regime as a Security State
[00:28–04:00]
- The Islamic Republic of Iran is primarily a security apparatus disguised as a government.
- True power does not rest with elected officials, but with the Supreme Leader, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Basij militia, intelligence services, and judiciary.
- Elections and official positions are often just “cover” for international legitimacy.
- Notable Insight: In Iran, protests aren’t seen as political dissent but as threats to the regime's security; the response is always violent.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is not just a government, it’s a security system masquerading as a government.” – Sarah Adams [01:54]
2. How the Regime Learns and Adapts
[04:00–06:00]
- Iran has adapted from previous protests by creating a comprehensive surveillance state:
- Internet controls, government-approved users on X (Twitter), widespread neighborhood informants, and even workplace infiltration.
- The regime collects intel to prevent dissent and quickly adapt to protestor tactics.
3. Breakdown of Protest Waves (1990s–2026)
a. 2009 Green Movement
[06:45–10:00]
- Sparked by a disputed election, protests demanded basic accountability.
- The regime responded with lethal force, mass arrests, and media blackouts.
- The West, particularly the Obama administration, issued only cautious statements, focused on nuclear diplomacy, and avoided overt support for protestors.
- Iconic imagery: The killing of Neda Agha-Soltan circulated globally, but did not change the outcome.
“They killed 70 people that we know of… thousands of people are being arrested, tortured, and sexually abused in prisons.” – Sarah Adams [09:08]
b. 2017 Economic Protests
- Started over economic collapse and corruption; expanded into outright opposition to the Supreme Leader.
- Regime killed at least 25; detained thousands.
- U.S. response was "rhetorically stronger than 2009" but lacked concrete support, such as internet access or asylum for those at risk.
c. 2019 Fuel Price Hike Protests
- Triggered by sudden fuel price increases amid economic crisis.
- Regime killed up to 1,500; imposed near-total internet blackout.
- U.S. response: post-facto sanctions, but no on-the-ground aid or support.
d. 2022 Women, Life, Freedom Movement
[17:15–20:30]
- Prompted by the killing of Mahsa Amini in morality police custody.
- Became the largest demonstrations since the 1979 revolution, led by women and youth; included minorities.
- Regime's ruthlessness escalated, including systematic sexual violence against detained women as a deterrent.
- U.S. issued some sanctions (e.g., on the morality police) but took little tangible action to help protestors.
e. Between Protest Waves: Underground Cultural Resistance
- Even when street protests subside, resistance continues underground, often in cultural forms like rap music (e.g., Toomaj Salehi).
- International campaigns (involving Amnesty, UN, and musicians) sometimes help individual cases but do not change regime behavior.
- Charge for Salehi: “corruption on Earth.”
“He was being put to death by a very corrupt regime for corruption on Earth. I mean, it’s just the most craziest thing.” – Sarah Adams [22:25]
4. Current Situation (2025–2026 Protests)
a. Scope and Scale
[25:00–29:30]
- Largest protests since 1979, impacting 180 cities and all 31 provinces.
- Protestors have attacked police stations, burned mosques, and even killed senior security officials.
- Government shut off electricity to streets (protesters used cell phones for light), imposed digital and phone blackouts, and called in proxy militias (including Iraqi groups and Hezbollah).
“They just came out and used their cell phone cameras as light… chanting in the dark. They’re like, ‘this isn’t going to scare us. We’ve been in darkness for like 47 years.’” – Sarah Adams [27:10]
b. Communication Blackouts & Starlink
- Regime imposed mass blackout for communications starting January 8. While some Starlink terminals exist (~10,000+), most Iranians remain cut off.
- Hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties.
- Death toll: Numbers remain uncertain but are estimated between 1,000–2,500 deaths in about 12 days; over 10,000 detained, including children.
c. Who is Protesting?
- All segments: shopkeepers, middle-class, young, and marginalized groups.
- Protests coordinated across cities and synchronized at night to counter security tactics.
d. New Forms of Resistance
- Protesters are using rolling strikes, business shutdowns, community/neighborhood defense, disabling CCTV cameras, and limiting regime access to protest areas.
- Tactics show that Iranian civil resistance is adaptive, learning, and strategically smart under extreme repression.
5. Escalation: Foreign Militias and Increased Lethality
[32:40–33:30]
- Government has called on foreign proxy militias, introducing up to 900 foreign fighters, representing a significant escalation and new level of threat to protesters.
6. Motivation and Misconceptions
- Yes, economic hardship and unemployment are big drivers, but anger at repression, corruption, lack of accountability and theocratic rule is central.
- The regime’s narrative, echoed in some Western media, downplays the movement's depth and diversity.
7. The West’s Response and Iranian Hopes
[36:00–40:30]
- Protesters have lost faith in the West to intervene but are “leaning into hope” following high-profile statements (notably Trump and Marco Rubio).
- Trump: "If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go." [38:32]
- This statement led to street name changes in Iran and hope among protesters for meaningful U.S. support.
- Many in Iran believe U.S. military action against regime targets (not ground troops) could change the protest movement's course.
- U.S. support could shift the regime's focus from solely suppressing protests to protecting strategic assets, potentially saving lives.
“They think… if the US gets involved and Trump really does do some sort of effects against the regime, that massively shortens the timeline. Obviously, if you massively short the timeline… to these protesters, they think less of us will die.” – Sarah Adams [40:45]
8. Big Picture Takeaway
[41:30–End]
- Iran is not unstable because of protests; protests erupt because the system is fundamentally unstable.
- Protests are cumulative and adaptive; each wave builds on the last.
- Majority of Iranians want the regime gone and a reversal of the past 47 years of theocracy and repression.
- The regime’s brutality is not an aberration—it’s systematic security-state logic.
“This is what it’s like to live under terrorists. They will treat their own people this way. They will harm their own people and we have to be honest about that.” – Sarah Adams [44:25]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On the regime's structure:
“Think of it as a security state. And then everything else makes a lot more sense going forward.” [03:01] - Describing social media manipulation:
“These social media companies are really used as tools by bad actors and influencers…these foreign governments trying to portray a truth that is not real.” [05:12] - On international impact:
“But these images that heroic people tried to get out to the west…didn’t really change any outcomes at the time.” [09:46] - On the indomitable protests:
“Cities saw mass demonstrations…the biggest in Iran since 1979...the regime didn’t take a step back and think, hey, maybe we should do something different. Nope. They handled it as ruthlessly as possible.” [18:45] - On cultural resistance:
“Using art in this case was a form of protest, right? It was defiance.” [23:36] - On courageous resistance:
“It’s just such a brave thing to see, right? They are done being ruled by these terrorists.” [42:15] - On the role of the West:
“People are dying…let’s focus on the current situation we’re in. Stop always playing political games.” [36:14]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 01:54 – Summary of Iran as a security state, not a typical government
- 06:45 – Description of 2009 Green Movement protests and aftermath
- 09:08 – Repression, arrests, and the death of Neda Agha-Soltan
- 12:35–18:45 – The evolution of protest waves and regime responses (2017, 2019, 2022)
- 22:25 – The cultural resistance and Toomaj Salehi’s case
- 25:00–30:00 – Current protests: scale, blackouts, escalation, and regime adaptation
- 32:40 – Introduction of foreign proxy fighters into Iran
- 38:32–41:00 – Trump’s statements and the hope for Western intervention
- 44:25 – Final assessment: nature of terrorist regime and warning to the world
Conclusion
Sarah Adams delivers an unflinching and nuanced account of recent and current events in Iran, stripping away media euphemism and diplomatic caution to expose a regime that survives through evolution, brutality, and deception. Her in-depth background, detailed case studies, and real-time updates provide vital understanding for anyone seeking to grasp the stakes—and the human cost—behind the headlines.
“We need to be honest about what is occurring. This is what it’s like to live under terrorists. They will treat their own people this way.” [44:25]
Stay tuned to The Watch Floor for ongoing updates as the situation in Iran continues to evolve.