Iran on the Brink: Widespread Protests Threaten Islamic Republic's Control

• Widespread protests, escalating since December 2025, are demanding an immediate end to the Islamic Republic in Iran.
• The unrest, triggered by an economic strike in Tehran's bazaar, has spread nationwide, fueled by a severe economic crisis, hyperinflation, and currency devaluation.
• The 12-day war with Israel in June 2025 severely damaged Iran's nuclear and military assets, weakening the regime and its proxy framework.
• Discontent spans various groups, including bazaari merchants, Gen Z, university students, and the working class, echoing the 1979 revolution.
• The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) faces growing domestic resentment due to its control over the economy, repression, and alleged sponsorship of terrorism.

Why It Matters: Iran faces unprecedented widespread protests and economic collapse, threatening the Islamic Republic's 46-year rule.