How does an authoritarian regime die? As Ernest Hemingway famously said about going broke – gradually then suddenly.
The protesters in Iran and their supporters abroad were hoping that the Islamic regime in Tehran was at the suddenly stage. The signs are, if it is dying, it is still at gradual.
The last two weeks of unrest add up to a big crisis for the regime. Iranian anger and frustration have exploded into the streets before, but the latest explosion comes on top of all the military blows inflicted on Iran in the last two years by the US and Israel.
Huh?
New footage
shows rioters attacking rescue & police forces in #Mashhad, #Iran — these are not peaceful protesters, but violent elements undermining public safety. pic.twitter.com/6Xfik794cj— ☫ Iran Embassy in The Hague, The Netherlands (@IRAN_in_NL) January 13, 2026
