Iran at the breaking point: What's next?
Salon.com • • world
Key Points:
- Recent protests in Iran are the largest and most violent since the 1978-79 revolution, sparked by economic collapse, corruption, and lack of liberties, with reported deaths possibly exceeding 12,000, far surpassing previous uprisings.
- Unlike past protests that rallied around religious figures like Khomeini, current demonstrations represent a widespread rejection of theocratic rule, affecting all social classes and challenging the regime's traditional divide-and-rule tactics.
- The Iranian government has responded with a brutal crackdown and internet blackouts, making accurate information scarce; there are signs the regime may be shifting power from the ayatollahs to the economically powerful Revolutionary Guard, potentially leading to a military dictatorship.
- Former President Donald Trump's vocal support for the protests and
