Iran's Protests: Can the Regime Survive?

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What's driving unrest in Iran—is this time different?
Protesters participate in a demonstration supporting protesters in Iran, in front of the US Consulate, Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. Play Podcast
Luca Bruno / AP
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About the Episode

Protests are spreading across Iran, and reports suggest violent crackdowns and a rising death toll. So what’s driving this moment, and how does it differ from protests Iran has seen before? Journalist Azadeh Moaveni and Chatham House expert Sanam Vakil break down what’s fueling the unrest, how power really works inside Iran, and what might come next. 

About the Experts
Azadeh Moaveni
Associate Professor of Journalism, New York University
Azadeh Moaveni Headshot
Azadeh Moaveni is an Associate Professor of Journalism at New York University, where she directs the program in Global Journalism. Her research interests focus on how women’s rights, security and political participation are impacted by war and authoritarianism. Moaveni has published three books: Lipstick Jihad, Honeymoon in Tehran, and Guest House for Young Windows: Among the Women of ISIS.
Azadeh Moaveni Headshot
Sanam Vakil
Director, Middle East and North Africa Programme, Chatham House
Headshot of Sanam Vakil.
Dr Sanam Vakil is the director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House. Her expertise spans Iranian and Gulf politics, regional security dynamics, and US foreign policy, with a particular focus on the evolving strategic landscape of the Middle East and its global connectivity.
Headshot of Sanam Vakil.
Leslie Vinjamuri
President & Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Leslie Vinjamuri headshot
Dr. Leslie Vinjamuri joined the Council in 2025 as the president and chief executive officer, after previously serving as director of the US and the Americas program at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, known as Chatham House, in London. She brings nearly 30 years of experience working at the intersection of international affairs, research, policy, and public engagement.
Leslie Vinjamuri headshot
Issues Global Politics US Foreign Policy
Regions Middle East and North Africa
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