Iran Edges Closer to a Revolution That Would Reshape the World – Bloomberg
Iran is once again at a critical crossroads—and the question many are asking is simple but loaded: Is this the beginning of the end for the Iranian regime?
A recent Today in Focus podcast, presented by Annie Kelly with insights from Ellie Geranmayeh, explores why the current unrest feels different, more dangerous, and potentially more consequential than past uprisings.
Let’s break it down clearly, calmly, and conversationally—without losing the depth this moment deserves.
What’s happening in Iran right now? (Featured Snippet Ready)
Since December, widespread protests have erupted across Iran, initially driven by economic desperation—sky-high prices, collapsing livelihoods, and a battered economy worsened by war, corruption, and sanctions. What began as localized anger among shopkeepers and small business owners quickly transformed into something far bigger.
The demands escalated.
So did the stakes.
Many protesters are no longer asking for reform. They are openly calling for the end of the regime.
Why these protests feel different
According to Ellie Geranmayeh, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, this wave of unrest stands apart for several reasons:
- Broader participation: The movement cuts across classes, regions, and generations.
- Political clarity: Protesters are not just criticizing policies—they’re challenging the legitimacy of the system itself.
- State response: A rapid, brutal crackdown followed, including arrests, violence, and an internet blackout, signaling deep fear within the leadership.
In short, this is not a single-issue protest. It’s a convergence of economic collapse, political rage, and long-simmering grief.
The human cost behind the headlines
For Iranians living abroad, the situation is deeply personal—and terrifying.
Mahsa Pirae, whose mother was killed by security forces during the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests of 2022–23, shared her anguish on the podcast. As demonstrations intensify again, she fears for her father, brother, and friends still on the streets.
Her words are hauntingly simple:
“We’re watching the videos and pictures of the dead bodies… and every single picture is breaking us.”
This is the reality behind the statistics. The trauma hasn’t ended—it’s resurfacing.
How the Iranian government is responding
The regime’s response has followed a familiar but harsher pattern:
- Violent suppression of protests
- Mass detentions
- Digital censorship and internet shutdowns
These actions may silence voices temporarily, but they also deepen public anger and international scrutiny—especially when images and testimonies leak out despite restrictions.
Where does Donald Trump fit into this?
Adding another layer of volatility is Donald Trump’s threat to intervene.
Ellie Geranmayeh warns that external intervention—especially from the US—can be a double-edged sword. While it may increase pressure on Iran’s leadership, it also risks:
- Allowing the regime to frame protests as foreign-backed
- Undermining the credibility of grassroots movements
- Escalating regional tensions
History suggests that international threats often strengthen hardliners, even as internal legitimacy erodes.
So… is this really the end of the regime?
Here’s the honest answer: No one can say for sure.
What is clear is this:
- The regime is under unprecedented internal pressure
- Public fear appears to be giving way to collective defiance
- Economic collapse and political repression are feeding each other
Change in Iran has never been linear. But moments like this—when anger, grief, and courage collide—tend to leave lasting marks, even if they don’t lead to immediate collapse.
Final takeaway
This is a dangerous, defining moment for Iran’s leaders—and a deeply painful one for its people. Whether or not it marks the end of the regime, it undeniably exposes its fragility.
The world is watching.
Iranians are risking everything.
And the outcome, whatever it may be, will echo far beyond Iran’s borders.
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